Welcome

Welcome to our School Community

Welcome to our school community! Sidmouth Church of England Primary School provides a vibrant and exciting learning environment where all children are provided with opportunities to succeed and cared for as unique individuals. We aim to support children to be academically successful and socially confident. The life of the school is driven by enthusiasm and a desire to achieve. We aim to bring learning alive, making it exciting and stimulating.

We want to give our children a desire for knowledge that will stay with them throughout their future life. Our curriculum aims to develop core skills in English and maths, whilst providing exciting social, physical and creative opportunities in a wide range of other subjects.

We believe a positive partnership between home and school is essential. You are your child’s first educators and we aim to build on their skills and experiences when they join us. We hope you continue to enjoy taking an active and positive interest in what your child is doing at school through parent workshops, family activity days and parent forums. There are many ways for you to get involved in school life, for example through our PTFA or as a helper in school.

Our talented staff team and excellent facilities mean that we can provide a smooth transition for any child joining the school and strive to meet the needs of all. We look forward to making your child’s primary education a very special and memorable time.

Alex Spraggon - Head of School

Values

Trust • Peace • Forgiveness • Belonging • Friendship

Mission Statement

Sidmouth Primary School’s mission is to be a positive learning community where
everyone enjoys the opportunity to achieve within a caring Christian environment.

Our Learning Pledge

At Sidmouth CE Primary School, we pledge:

• You will learn and be challenged everyday
• You will learn to communicate well with the wider world
• That together, we will persevere to help you realise your full potential
• To offer you lots of real life experiences to help you learn
• To support you to become more independent and responsible
• You will be enthusiastic , happy and enjoy school

We promote these aims in all the activities and experiences we provide the children.

School Organisation

Our school is organised into 19 classes, across two sites, covering the three stages of school.

Vicarage Road Site:

Nursery, Reception (2 classes), Year 1/2 (2 classes of 5)

Manstone Avenue Site:

Currently closed due to rebuilding

Woolbrook Road Site:

Key Stage 1 - Year 1/2 (3 classes of 5)
Key Stage 2 - Years 3 - 6 (4 classes of Year 3/4, 5 classes of Year 5/6)

Strong links are fostered with the pre-schools in our area and Sidmouth College. Our school is a member of the Sidmouth Learning Community where we work in collaboration with other schools locally.

We also have family groupings, so that children have some time in cross phase sessions and assemblies, allowing us to build on our aims and values.

What to wear

Our uniform is smart yet practical and affordable. It gives our children a sense of identity and we encourage them to take pride in their appearance.

Nursery (optional)

Navy Sweatshirt (round neck) or Navy Cardigan
White Polo Shirt

Reception to Year 4
Navy Sweatshirt (round neck) or Navy Cardigan
White Polo Shirt

Years 5 and 6
Navy Sweatshirt (V neck) or Navy Cardigan
White Shirt
Navy and White Striped Tie (clip on)

All Pupils
Grey trousers, shorts or skirt
Black shoes
Plain socks
Book Bag

PE Kit:

White or Pale Blue T-Shirt, Navy or Black Shorts, Trainers

Other items available (optional)
Navy and white check summer dress
Polo Shirt with logo
Reversible coat, waterproof coat, fleece
PE bag/ School Bag
Hair scrunchie

Our Day

Vicarage Road

Gates open at 8.30 and lock at 8.40 (opened again for Nursery at 8.45)

Registration: 8.40

End of day: 3.10

Woolbrook Road
Gates open at 8.35 and lock at 8.55

Registration: 8.55

End of day: 3.25

The Curriculum

At Sidmouth Primary we plan carefully for the whole curriculum. The five core areas of English, Mathematics, Science, Information & Communication Technology and Religious Education are given priority. The foundation subjects are Art, Design and Technology, History, Geography, Music, Physical Education and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE). Children in Key Stage 2 are also taught a Modern Foreign Language. We believe our curriculum should be broad and balanced and as creative as we can make it. We also aim to teach our children how to grow into positive, responsible people who can work and co-operate with others while developing knowledge and skills so that they can achieve their full potential. Children are offered swimming lessons in Years 1, 3 and 5.

We have a good learning environment that reflects practice that is always aware of the needs of each child, explores learning strategies and experiences to support the range of need as pupils move through each developmental stage.

Homework

Although we recognise the importance of children using out of school time for pursuing interests, hobbies and play, we also believe that by setting regular homework we are helping to develop an effective partnership between school and home.

At Key Stage 1, we encourage more speaking and listening focussed homework, discussing the school day, or a book you are reading together. As they move through the school, children will be expected to take on more responsibility for their learning. Homework may take the form of:

• Reading
• Times tables and spellings to learn
• Research to carry out
• Numeracy/ Literacy tasks
• Topic-related activities

Reading is an essential tool for learning. We encourage all children to read regularly at home and hope all parents support us in this.

Sex and Relationships Education

The governing body have agreed that sex and relationship education should form part of the school curriculum. Our staff follows the agreed policy, which is delivered through our Personal, Social and Health Education programme.

Behaviour

Throughout the school we expect our children to be caring, polite and well behaved. Emphasis is placed on the importance of looking after and supporting each other within our school community and beyond.

We celebrate positive behaviour and an enthusiastic attitude to learning. Children are encouraged to have a go and always try their best. Together our aim is to provide a happy, safe and purposeful environment, where everybody treats each other with respect.

We ensure that children whose poor behaviour or attitude impacts on others are clear about why sanctions have been imposed and privileges are removed.

Parents are kept informed and involved in discussions about steps that need to be taken should concerns grow regarding behaviour.

We involve all our children in making agreements about behaviour, both in class and for playtimes so that they can take responsibility for themselves and their actions.

Enrichment

During the school year our children participate in a wide variety of experiences aimed at enabling them to gain better understanding of topics, enhance their learning and gain greater experience from their learning. Opportunities offered include:

• History theme days
• Museum visits
• Trips related to topics
• Visiting theatre groups
• Working with artists
• Special guests
• Residential visits

Whenever we can, the school funds these activities. However some of the visits, both the day and residential, rely on contributions from parents and carers.

Governance

Our school is part of the First Federation and information on Directors can be found on their website www.firstfederation.org

Healthy School

We believe in the importance of encouraging children to lead an active and healthy lifestyle, teaching them the value of exercise and a healthy diet. We promote:

• Regular fitness beaks for activity each day
• Participation in a varied programme of sports and PE activities
• Healthy eating – children at Key Stage 1 are provided with a piece of fruit or vegetable every day. 
• Children have access to water throughout the day.

Collective Worship

We follow the Devon Agreed Syllabus for RE and Collective Worship. All children have an act of collective worship every day. This will always have a strong Christian basis. We are lucky to have close links with the local churches and local clergy visit on a very regular basis. For many assemblies, the children will visit church.

School Policies

Policies, Governors minutes and a copy of the latest Ofsted report are all available from the school office and from the website here and safeguarding issues policies are here. First Federation policies are found here.

The information here was correct at the time of publication. However we have had many changes recently and some details may alter during the course of the year.
Sidmouth CE Primary School
55 Woolbrook Road
Sidmouth
Devon
EX10 9XB
Tel: 01395 514146
Fax: 01395 572940
Email: admin@sidmouth-primary.devon.sch.uk
Website: www.sidmouth-primary.devon.sch.uk