North Marston

Church of England School

Challenging each other to love learning and truly care

Compassion Justice Courage

North Marston C E School

School Hill, North Marston, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire. MK18 3PE

Tel./Fax. 01296 670286

e-mail

website

  • A Voluntary Controlled School with the capacity for 105 pupils, serving the area of North Marston and Granborough with free transport to and from Granborough.
  • Age range - Rising 5 to 11 years old
  • Head Teacher - Mrs. Catherine Gouldstone
  • Governors - Comprises of 11 members, Chair Mrs Sue Chadbund
Our Philosophy

A child is entitled to work in an atmosphere of friendship and trust, where all are considered equal and relationships between all people are considerate and caring.

We champion a cross curricular approach to learning which is broad based, relevant and meaningful, providing opportunities for every child to achieve her or his maximum potential.

Learning will take place in an environment that is stimulating, challenging and well organised where security is provided by clearly defined expectations of work and behaviour.

All Staff and Governors seek to maintain this Philosophy.

Dear Parents and Carers

Choosing a school for your children is one of the most important decisions you will make. I am very proud to be associated with North Marston School as Chair ofGovernors.

In February 2013 Ofsted found North Marston School to be a good school. In their summary, the following points of particular strength were amongst the main findings:

  • “All groups of pupils make good progress and standards are consistently significantly higher than all pupils nationally”
  • “Parents say that their children “love school” and want to come to school, even when they are ill”
  • “Pupils are emphatic that there is no bullying.”
  • “Members of the governing body play a significant role in making important decisions which drive the school forward”
  • “Where teaching is outstanding, behaviour is exemplary, every pupil is focussed on the task in hand and keen to do their best. The pupils help each other, share ideas and have a good knowledge and understanding of their learning and how to improve”

A copy of the full report is available for your inspection at school. I hope that you will feel welcome to come and see for yourself all that North Marston School can offer.

With best wishes

Mrs Sue Chadbund

(on behalf of the Governing Body)

School Prayer

Dear God,

Let us make our school a really good school,

Let us be kind,

Let us be fair,

Let us be honest,

Let us be respectful,

Let us be friendly,

Let us be ready to forgive,

Let us grow up good.

Amen

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in our school. We hope that this booklet will give you a taste of the way we run our school and make clear to you our commitment to the education and well being of our children.

Our school is a happy, caring and exciting place where everyone is considered important. We believe that the family is a very important part of a child’s life and we work in partnership with parents and carers for the benefit of our children. Parents and carers are welcome to help in the classroom in a variety of activities and we encourage children to continue their studies at home.

I hope you will make an appointment to meet me and to view the school so that you get a real flavour of our enthusiasm for educating the children in our care.

Best Wishes

Mrs Catherine Gouldstone

Headteacher

The Aims of the School

North Marston School aims to provide the best possible education and opportunities for all its pupils, through the following programme:-

  • To create a stimulating and safe environment which is respected by all, where the pupils and staff feel respected and valued, and where everyone’s rights and responsibilities are understood.
  • To provide a curriculum which engenders a love of learning and the excitement of discovery, where the children will be motivated and challenged to achieve their maximum potential.
  • To nurture and value the working relationships currently enjoyed between North Marston School, each other, parents and the local community, as partners for learning, and to create positive attitudes to ethnic and cultural diversity in the World in which they live.
  • To encourage the Christian attitudes and ethos which is unique to Church schools, which values all members of our school community, and has high expectations of all.

In all our decisions concerning school life, the Staff and Governors will act upon these aims and help the children understand the meaning of religious and moral values to prepare them for their future roles in society.

The Unique Benefits of the Village School

We are extremely fortunate at North Marston in being a happy school with a strong family atmosphere where the children feel secure and settle quickly.Many of them will already know the school from its situation at the heart of the community, and from its links with the local pre-school. We use the local area and people to support the learning in school. All children quickly learn their way around.

If children feel valued, happy and secure, and are encouraged to strive for individual attainment in all areas, they will develop to their full potential. We ensure that learning is fun and each new day is a fresh and exciting experience.

As a smallschool, the staff get to know each child and family, and are conscious of individual needs. Through a programme of assessment and well planned teaching we build upon their strengths and help children overcome any difficulties, supporting them to achieve their full potential. The children’s progress through Foundation Stage,Key Stage 1 andKey Stage 2 is tracked and monitored accurately to ensure that this happens.

All of the children are given their own roles, and it is pleasing to watch them grow up and take greater responsibility within the school, showing pride in being part of the community.

As theyprogress through the school, we aim to meet growing needs and are very much aware of the academic needs of the oldest children as they prepare for their future learning. By the time they move on to their next school they are sensible, mature and behave like responsible citizens. We hope and believe that the confidence our children gain in North Marston School will remain with them throughout their life.

Direct quotes from our last OFSTED inspection:-

  • “Good relationships and a caring family atmosphere, where all adults are good role models, ensure that pupils are well behaved and have a positive attitude to learning.”
  • “Teachers know their pupils well. Good relationships ensure that pupils enjoy their work and try hard.”
  • “Behaviour is good. Older pupils are good role models and look after the younger ones”

Comments from parents are equally positive

  • “..we all think it is an amazing school where our children are so happy and well looked after, huge thank you.”
  • “I am so pleased for the school and proud to say my children go there”
  • “Our daughter thoroughly enjoys her time with you and has learnt a huge amount. Every week something has completely captured her imagination from a lesson”

Curriculum

Teaching and Learning We believe in the concept of lifelong learning, and in the idea that both adults and children learn new things every day. We maintain that learning should be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for everyone. Through our teaching we aim to equip the children with the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to be able to make informed choices about the important things in their lives. The cross curricular approach to teaching and learning is the key focus of our school and independent learning skills are developed so that the pupils can get the best out of every learning experience.

The full teaching and learning policy can be found on the school website.

The Foundation Stage- Early Years The Foundation Stage at North Marston School accepts children in September for the academic year in which they will turn 5. We have a broad and balanced curriculum that ensures that all of the children have access to the Early Learning Goals with an emphasis on the main skills of reading writing and numeracy. Young children also get the opportunity to manage their own learning through a balance of teacher led and child initiated activities. We make use of our outdoor areas and the local community to enhance all 7 areas of learning. Our most important focus is to ensure that all of the children in the Foundation Stage reception class have a safe, happy and secure environment in which they can enjoy their learning.

LiteracyWeaim to inspire children to write creatively so in addition tothe National Curriculum in Literacy we integrate language work wherever appropriate into topic based learning. We teach the children to express themselves in as many different ways as possible in both oral and written work. We encourage the children throughout the school to speak clearly and confidently to individuals, small groups and larger audiences. Great importance is placed on listening attentively to instruction and to the views of others.

A love of books is encouraged as soon as a child starts school.Children at North Marston are taught to read using the synthetic reading programme ‘Letters and Sounds’. This is continued in KS2 for those pupils who require further phonic support as a programme called “support for spelling.” We mostly use books from the Oxford Reading Tree scheme although these are supplemented by a wide variety of other texts to support the individual needs of the children. We believe it is important for all pupils to read daily, whether independently or to an adult. Parental support is welcomed and the children take home reading books regularly. Throughout the school, children read and discuss books and texts in small groups, and as a class. The school library is well stocked and the children are taught research skills. Reading at home from a variety of sources is encouraged. Children can gather information from newspapers, the internet, weather reports, leaflets, food labels and cookery books to name but a few.

The children are taught the skills of creative writing, poetry and factual accounts and are encouraged to explore these through the use of drama. Children are expected to be able to write clearly and take a pride in the presentation of their work. Grammar, spelling, punctuation and handwriting skills are practised regularly and cursive writing is encouraged from reception.

Numeracy is an academic and practical subject with the emphasis on understanding. A variety of teaching styles are used to promote children’s development and understanding of mathematical concepts. Mental arithmetic and multiplication tables are learnt as the child progresses through the school. The use of mathematical language is encouraged during discussion and group activities. Each stage of development is carefully planned and monitored for individuals.

The use and manipulation of numbers is extremely important, with mental calculation given a high priority. Open ended investigational and problem solving approaches are used throughout the school.

Science We endeavour to ensure a broad and balanced experience for all our pupils. Opportunities are provided to develop skills and gain an understanding of scientific concepts through first-hand experience in a climate which encourages curiosity, perseverance, open-mindedness, critical reflection and co-operation. Children learn to investigate methodically, communicating results in the most appropriate manner e.g. graphs, diagrams, symbols, photographs or models.

ICT is used wherever it can aid the process of teaching and learning. A range of teaching methods are employed including whole class teaching, experiential learning, discovery methods, problem solving and open ended investigations. The local environment including our wildlife garden is used as appropriate.

I hear……I forget,

I see……. I remember,

I do…….and I understand.

(Ancient Chinese Proverb)

History/Geography skills and understanding are developed by structured work to provide continuity and progression. Therefore we begin by looking at the children’s immediate environment and move to the excitement of discovering distant places and times. We feel it is important that our children learn about the world in which they live and the heritage within their village and local area.

We give the children as many opportunities as we can, making use of ICT, maps, reference books, DVDs, computer programmes and visits, to enhance their experiences.

Design and Technology involves the process of thinking about a problem, considering and planning ways of overcoming and realising some solutions by making, testing and evaluating. A widening range of materials and components are available for children’s work as they develop their skills. The children are taught the safe use of tools and processes needed to execute their work.

Art work is exciting and varied. Children are taught to appreciate the work of various artists. The skills of observation, analysis, expression, communication and design are taught either as a separate study or as part of the work in other subjects. Visiting artists work with the children at various times linked to projects outside school. Children’s art is always displayed throughout the school.

Computing is taught in a practical and active style to encourage independent learning. Throughteaching computing we equip children to participate in a rapidly-changing world where work and leisure activities are increasingly transformed by technology. We enable children to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information as well as developing the skills necessary for them to use information in a discriminating and effective way.We are fortunate in being particularly well resourced with both hardware and software, which are regularly evaluated and updated. Children are taught skills which can then be applied to all curriculum areas. We also have a strong focus on e-safety and strive to teach children to keep themselves safe online.

Religious Education – Collective Worship. Theseare given an important place in our school. We see RE as being an essential factor in the moral and social development of our school community. The pupils are given opportunities to explore some of the world’s major religions but the emphasis is placed on the Christian faith. Our daily act of Collective Worship includes reading, drama, music, art etc and a mixture of reflection which is linked to themes across the year.Local clergyvisit us on a monthly basis to take worship and to talk to classes. A programme of “Prayer Spaces” has been set up over the year so that pupils have time to pause and reflect in prayerful spaces at special times such as Harvest or Easter. These reflections are shared in Services in the Church.Parents with special reasons for excluding their children from worship and RE should discuss this with the Headteacher.

Music is viewed as an enjoyable and integral part of the curriculum. Children are given opportunities to listen to an extensive range of music. Singing and the use of percussion instruments, particularly African drums, help develop a sense of pitch and rhythm. Older children are taught musical notation and have the opportunity to learn an instrument from peripatetic teachers at a cost to parents. There are frequent opportunities for performance in events such as assemblies,concerts, services and festivals.

Physical Education encompasses a wide range of activities, which include gymnastics, swimming, games, dance and drama. All activities are seen as non gender specific and together they help to improve co-ordination and physical skills. The school is fortunate to have such extensive grounds, both hard standing and field, where cricket, netball, hockey, rugby, football, and rounders are taught. The school holds an annual sports day and we enjoy taking part in local sports tournaments, in conjunction with the School Sports Partnership, and with nearby schools. Although there is plenty of scope for team games, the emphasis within the school lessons is upon the improvement of skills by all children rather than purely their utilisation in competitive situations.

Outdoor LearningThroughout the year the children in Key Stage One and Early years spend a morning each week working outside at Forest School. The pupils are involved in carefully designed learning opportunities which are led and directed by them. Alongside the academic learning the children’s social, and emotional skills are improved through working with their peers to solve problems. Numeracy, map-work, art, scavenger and treasure hunts, music using natural objects, science work, and literacy based on a story book are typical activities. Most of the work takes place in the forest area at the local sports field.