I hope that you will enjoy browsing our website and finding out a little about what we hope to provide at this school.

This website can only give you an impression of life within our school. If you would like to come and see us, please contact the school office to arrange a visit.

If you decide to request admission at Rushcombe First School, I hope you will be very happy with us and enjoy your time as members of our school community and share in our activities.

We look forward to seeing you here.

Yours sincerely

School Aims

We welcome and appreciate the support and involvement of parents and the wider community in the life of our school. Our aims are:

• To value each child as an individual
• To provide a learning environment which is purposeful, well-planned and stimulating
• To offer a variety of experiences and opportunities so that each child achieves their full potential
• To develop each child’s personal qualities necessary to become a successful life-long learner
• To create a community of enquiry in which thinking and reflection is developed
• To create a positive and caring atmosphere in which each child is encouraged to respect and value themselves and others

Curriculum

Through our curriculum, we aim to extend each child’s understanding of themselves and the world they live in. We aim to provide a broad and balanced education that treats each child as an individual and enables him/her to achieve his/her potential and to develop the skills and qualities needed to be a successful learner.
In accordance with Government legislation, children follow the National Curriculum. This comprises of separate programmes for:

Foundation - Ages 3-5

- Personal, Social & Emotional Development
- Communication (Language & Literacy)
- Mathematical Development
- Knowledge & Understanding of the World
- Physical Development
- Creative Development

Key Stages 1 & 2 - Ages 5-9

Core Subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, ICT

Religious Education: The school follows the agreed Dorset syllabus. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from this subject; please inform the school if
you wish to do so.

Foundation Subjects: Art, History, Geography, PE, Music, Technology

Modern Foreign Language (Year 3 & 4 only): French

All bases are fully equipped with ICT resources. The library and study have additional suites of computers. The study, studio and hall have interactive whiteboards.

These subjects alone do not form the complete curriculum. Alongside these subjects our children follow programmes of personal and social education, philosophy and creative and expressive arts. There is no direct teaching of sex education.

Through detailed planning we provide a curriculum that offers the means and encouragement for every child to achieve their potential. We expect high standards in both work and behaviour and we want the children to enjoy their learning and tackle everything with enthusiasm and increasing independence.

For further information about the Curriculum, please contact the school office.

In accordance with the Dorset Education Authority arrangements, all children are admitted to school at the following times: September, for all children on a part-time basis whose birthday falls between 1 September and 31 August Children whose birthday falls between 1 September and 28 February become full-time after October half term Children whose fifth birthday falls between 1 March and 31 August become full-time in January Children moving into the area during the school year, will be admitted to the school providing that a place is available in their school year. If parents wish to appeal against the non-admission of a child, under Section 7 of the 1980 Education Act, they should write to: The Admission Officer, Education Directorate, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, DORSET DT1 1XJ