INTRODUCTION: Our School Educational Aims  

• We have been awarded the Quality Mark in Basic Skills and Investors in People.
• The school has recently achieved a School Award for Excellence.
• The school has been awarded the Bristol Standard for EarlyYears Education

We would like to tell you a few things about our school, which you might find useful.

We operate an Open Door policy here within school. Any parent who has concerns about their child, or who would like to hear how he/she is getting on, can come into school anytime and speak with Ms Clair Marshall, Headteacher, or any of her staff.

Parental input is encouraged within the school day. Helping to listen to readers, an extra pair of hands to help with practical projects, or lending a hand with the Christmas Nativity Play. All of these are greatly appreciated.

Every Monday afternoon, the whole school goes swimming. The children swim from 2.00 – 2.30pm and armbands are provided, if needed. To make life easier for the children we ask that they wear a tracksuit on that day. We have to hire the swimming pool, attendants and coach so parents are asked to contribute £2.00 per session to help cover the costs. We ask that this is paid at the beginning of the week, or you can pay monthly or half-termly.

Parent Governors are your links with the school. If you have any questions or worries about the school we are only too happy to help you.

Debbie Vaughan , David Shaw
Parent Governors

HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL

The original school, built in 1848 and situated within the village, is now occupied as a private dwelling. The present school opened in 1966 as a Primary school but changed to a First school with the introduction of the 3-tier education system by Wiltshire County Council in the 1970’s. We were given permission by the Education Committee to revert to a Primary school in September 2001.

The constitution of the school is set out in the Instrument of Government; while the day to day management of the school is set out in the Articles of Government for Voluntary Aided Schools. The Wiltshire Education Committee issued both legal documents on 28 July 1989. Copies are available for inspection.

Coombe Bissett School seeks to serve, in the name of Christ, the community in which it is situated.

CURRICULUM PRIORITIES

• To continue improving standards in Literacy and Numeracy for all the pupils
• To ensure a broad and balanced curriculum which incorporates the 2000 Curriculum
• To continue improving school leadership, management and governance

To achieve these aims, the Governing Body and Headteacher are committed to ensuring that all staff, including volunteers, receive the necessary training.

Should you require any clarification on any of the above points, please do not hesitate to contact either a Parent Governor or the Headteacher.

EARLY YEARS

Our children start school during the academic year in which they celebrate their fifth birthday. Their first class is Oak class. Mrs Macaulay is the full time teacher, supported by Mrs Brealey in the mornings and Mrs Foster and Mrs Mould in the afternoons. Children may be full or part time throughout the year and are all full time in the term after their fifth birthday, which is the statutory requirement. Our children feed in from a large range of nurseries and playgroups in the Salisbury area. Our staff visit each child in their pre-school setting prior to starting at our school. Home visits can also be arranged if a parent wishes.

We believe a happy and valued child is a receptive child. We provide a safe and stimulating environment, inside and outside, which enables each child to reach their full potential in all areas. We establish a love for learning which motivates each child to continue their learning journey onto the next stage. We develop the key skills and knowledge as outlined in the Foundation Stage Curriculum and make the child’s first experiences of school happy, enjoyable, positive and fun. We endeavour to foster a love of learning, develop enquiring minds, encourage creativity and build confidence and independence in both themselves and their work. Children learn through play, as we believe it is in the doing that a child understands.

We run an extensive five week induction programme, of one afternoon a week, in the summer term prior to the child starting in the September. During this programme each child is given a “buddy” who looks after them during the induction period and throughout the first part of the autumn term. New children are then able to familiarise themselves with the school building and grounds and get to know the staff who will be supporting and teaching them in September. Parents are well informed before their child starts. We have a parent information afternoon led by the Headteacher and class teacher, with an opportunity to also meet the School Nurse, a parent Governor and a representative from our PTA.

We encourage all our parents to become partners with the school and share in the education of their children. Our school “Open Door” policy enables parents to talk to teachers before and after school if they need to.

Children quickly develop a sense of belonging within our school. We celebrate their achievements both in and out of school, both small and big. They learn to respect the feelings, needs, cultures and abilities of others both within the school community and within the wider Christian community in which the school belongs.

Our Early Years department has recently achieved accreditation with the Bristol Standard Quality Assurance Scheme. This ongoing self evaluation framework is evidence that we are committed to providing an excellent start for all our children now and in the future.

CURRICULUM AIMS

Within the terms of the National Curriculum and the new Government initiative on Literacy, the curriculum provided by the school is broad and balanced. It is structured to cater for the individual needs of all the children to ensure that the academic potential of each child is fully developed.

We believe that the curriculum should be delivered in an environment, which stimulates interest and positive attitudes to work. We aim to develop certain qualities in our pupils.

They are:

• Curiosity
• Self esteem
• Confidence
• Appreciation of quality
• Pride in one’s work
• Perseverance
• Tolerance
• Independence
• Moral values
• Courtesy at all times

All subjects are covered in a cross-curricular manner. For example, English, Technology and Science may be linked within one topic activity. Thus, the National Curriculum (Keystage 1) is followed within a broad topic based curriculum for Reception, Year 1, Year 2 groups. For Keystage 2 there is a more subject-based approach which involves some separate subject teaching with special emphasis on literacy and numeracy. The work is carefully structured to cover the appropriate attainment targets. Morning sessions within each classroom are devoted almost entirely to the teaching and application of literacy and Numeracy, although this may change from time to time. Religious Education is taught as a separate subject in both Key Stages following the Wiltshire Agreed syllabus.

HOMEWORK

It is the policy of this school to provide homework for each child. As the support of the parents is essential, the school has formulated a contract signed by each parent. Homework will include reading and specific work tasks usually, but not exclusively in language and mathematics. Each child is expected to complete all tasks and return their individual books to their teacher. These tasks are designed to extend skills taught within the classroom.

CROSS-CURRICULAR THEMES

• Careers education and guidance
• Education for citizenship
• Economic and industrial understanding
• Environmental education
• Health education

These themes are in addition to National Curriculum subjects and R.E. They are incorporated into the curriculum according to Wiltshire County Council guidelines at a level of understanding appropriate to a young child, thus ensuring that the curriculum is truly broad and balanced.

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND SEX EDUCATION

The school encourages correct social and moral principles at all times and shows a caring concern for all pupils in order to promote their sense of self esteem. It encourages them to treat others with respect.

The School Nurse comes into school during the summer term to talk to the Year 6 pupils about the onset of puberty. The objective of the talk is to provide information and raise awareness of normal body changes, physical and emotional, during adolescence. It is our policy to answer children’s questions factually and honestly as they arise, wherever possible, within a moral, family orientated and Christian framework. To provide further information for healthy living for both pupils and parents, the curriculum includes a visit to our County Life Van. It is through the Life Van that the subject of Drugs and Health education is approached in a friendly atmosphere. It aims to provide children with the skills, knowledge and self confidence to enable them to make healthy choices about their future and also involves parents so they can continue this message of encouraging good health. Each year the children visit the Life Van and their understanding of healthy living is increased as they progress through the schoolTOP