Sidbury Primary School is a voluntary controlled Church of England Primary School, admitting children from the ages of 4 to 11 years.  Our catchment area includes the villages of Sidbury and Sidford, but we also take children from the surrounding area when spaces are available.

We currently (Autumn 2007) have 90 children on our full-time roll, allowing us to have four small classes (17/25/23/25).  We are exceptionally well equipped for a small village school and one of our greatest assets is our idyllic location and extensive grounds. 

Our staff and Governors work enthusiastically to provide a learning experience for the children in our care, which is second to none.

Within the curriculum the school aims to:

  Encourage high standards of achievement for all children through effective and stimulating teaching and learning.

  Develop learning activities that have breadth and balance, stress the importance of literacy, numeracy and ICT, and stimulate enquiry and challenge within an ever-changing world.

  Encourage children to develop an appreciation of the expressive arts and provide opportunities for performance and self expression.

  Encourage children’s physical development by providing exciting opportunities for sport and physical education, outdoor pursuits and dance.

  Foster awareness and an appreciation of the spiritual dimensions throughout the curriculum.

With regard to the school environment, we aim to:

  Provide an environment where children can be happy and confident and can grow and learn together within an atmosphere of care, tolerance and trust.

  Provide opportunities for the exploration of a wide range of social, environmental and interpersonal issues, in the context of a moral framework, which takes into account the needs of others.

With regard to the wider environment and community, we aim to:

  Help children to appreciate their environment, their place in it and the effect they can have upon it.

  Encourage positive links with the Parish Church and wider community.

  Encourage parents and friends of the school to be fully involved in the life and work of the school.

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School Organisation

The main school building was built in 1831 on the site of the old Priest’s College. it was enlarged in 1872 to take 200 children.  The hall was added during the 1970s and is an excellent facility for a village school.  At the same time the superb playing field was acquired, with a host of trees and flora that are very much enjoyed by the children and which provides a most wonderful resource as an outdoor classroom.

The school is divided into four classes, according to age.  In the main building there are two classrooms, an office, a well equipped practical room, a Library, an ICT room and a staff room.  Classes 1 and 2 are located in the Key Stage 1 area adjacent to the Hall. The Classes 1 and 2 are mainly Foundation/Key Stage 1, Classes 3 and 4 are Key Stage 2

In the main building, we have an excellent ICT Suite, which consists of an interactive whiteboard, 10 PCs and 11 laptops.  These computers are linked to a curriculum server and the Internet.  Classes 1 and 2 are also linked to the network via a fibre optic link.  In addition, every class has its own interactive whiteboard and further computers.

Each class throughout the school is grouped according to age and contains children with a full range of ability.  In order that children are given work appropriate to their ability and aptitude, teachers divide their classes into groups at various levels.  This kind of grouping will vary according to the activity.

In the organisation of the school we try to be fair to all the children and to the school as a whole.  This organisation may vary from year to year with the size of each age group.

We admit children to the Reception class in September and January.  Children whose birthdays fall between 1st September and 28th February are admitted in September.  Children whose birthdays fall between 1st March and 31st August are admitted in January.

The Schools and Playgroups in the Sid Valley have formed a partnership to provide equal and fair provision for pre-school four year olds.  In common with other local schools we offer an induction programme, which operates on Monday to Thursday afternoons from 1.00pm to 3.15pm for a full term prior to those children beginning full time education the following term.  Parents may choose how many sessions their child attends (up to 4 per week).

The school’s admission procedures are based upon a planned admission level (PAN) as defined by the Local Education Authority and designated catchment areas.  The school has admitted children from outside the designated catchment areas when there has been space and when numbers within a particular age group have been within planned admission levels. 

The PAN is normally 15 per year group.  In the event of admissions exceeding the PAN, the school would give priority to children living within the catchment area and to the siblings of children already on the school roll.  A fuller copy of the Admission Policy is available to parents on request from the school office. Parents are most welcome to come to look around the school and discuss prospective admission with the Headteacher.  To make an appointment please telephone the school office.