Ipplepen Primary School is very fortunate in occupying one of the most spacious and attractive sites in the whole of Devon, with a large playground, extensive playing field and an environmental area with pond.

The school has recently been upgraded and now boasts seven purpose built classrooms, a brand new computer suite with 18 computers, a library and a large hall which can easily accommodate the whole school for assemblies and has ample room for drama, music, P.E. and dance.

We offer a broad and balanced curriculum which closely matches the requirements of the National Curriculum. We cater for children of all ability and strive to ensure that every child reaches his/her full potential. Our standards in the three core subjects, English, mathematics and science, are consistently above the national average.

We believe that living in Devon gives us wonderful learning opportunities, which we try to use to the full. As examples, Year 2 go to Teignmouth to contrast the River Teign and the docks to the seaside resort. Year 5 spend a residential visit learning about Dartmoor. Year 6 spend 2 days in Totnes and a week at the Start Bay Centre, Slapton, studying rivers and coasts. OFSTED highlighted our use of 'field trips' and the cross curricular links with other subjects as a major strength of the school.

We have a host of extra curricular activities which include football, netball, tag rugby, kwik cricket, athletics, chess, music, French and an environmental club. 

Each year we take part in the South Devon Music Proms at the English Riviera Centre and the South Devon Dance Festival in Totnes. We also enter the local sporting leagues and cup competitions and have been very successful in recent years.

But most of all, we try to create a friendly, stimulating  atmosphere in which all children have the opportunity to thrive.

All teaching and non-teaching staff and Governors met to discuss how we currently realise our school aims.

HOW DO WE DO THIS IN PRACTICE?

Through the implementation of a range of policies which include:

v      Teaching and Learning Policy

v      Assessment Policy

v      All Curriculum policies / National strategies / Devon RE syllabus / QCA schemes

v      SEN Policy

v      Behaviour Policy

v      Accessibility Strategy Plan

v      Performance management Policy

v      Staff Development Policy

v      Home / School Agreement

v      School Improvement Plan – review with all staff and then set targets

v     Review of policies by Governing body committees

v     Termly meetings with TAs

v     Termly meeting s with MTAs

v     Weekly INSET meetings

v     Fortnightly meetings with SMT

v     Termly Performance Management review / target setting

v     Annual Appraisal of TAs

v     Termly lesson observations of all teaching staff by Headteacher

v     Scrutiny of planning by Headteacher

v     Termly monitoring by Literacy co-ordinator

v     Scrutiny of planning by Literacy co-ordinator

v     Termly monitoring by Numeracy co-ordinator

v     Scrutiny of planning by Numeracy co-ordinator

v     Release of other subject co-ordinators to scrutinise planning / observe teaching and learning

v     Regular meetings between class teachers and TAs to review the work they are doing

v     Monitoring intervention programmes by TAs and teachers

v     Scrutiny of work by Headteacher

v     Scrutiny of work by all staff

v     Foundation Stage Profile used throughout the year in Foundation class.

v     Working towards EEL quality mark

v     Target setting with children

v     Setting end of year targets for all children

v     Analysis of all data – PANDA; SATs; Autumn Package; LEA data

v     IEP reviews

v     School contextual data

v     Sharing targets with parents at parent evenings each term.

v     Meetings for parents at the beginning of each year – information about curriculum routines and expectations

v     Reports to parents.

v     Information pack to parents at the beginning of each term.

v     SEN reviews with parents.

v     Governor visits to school.

v     Displays

v     Family assemblies

v     Writers’ Assembly

v     Music Assembly

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

v      All staff to monitor their own children’s progress.

v      Subject co-ordinators to monitor own subject throughout the school.

v      SMT to monitor data / School Improvement Plan

v      Headteacher to monitor overall achievement              

v      SENCO responsible for monitoring IEPs and keeping parents informed.

v      Governors to link with subject co-ordinators