School Profile

Our School Profile is a reflection of our achievements and the areas on which we are focussing our efforts this year to reach our goal of providing outstanding education

 What have been our successes this year?

 

The school was pleased with the outcome of its Ofsted inspection in September 2008, rating the school as "good with many outstanding features".  Since then, the school has focused on implementing the recommendations to ensure every child reaches their full potential. 

 

The Creative Curriculum has given us opportunities to excite our pupils through well-planned teaching, drawing subject areas together under motivating titles such as Literature Around the World, International Communication and Active Body, Active Mind. 

 

We are also determined to maintain the benefits of the literacy and numeracy frameworks, namely structured teaching in both subjects, and so we have continued to teach a daily literacy and numeracy hour.

 

Our new Tyre Park and redesigned playground further enhances the children's outdoor play opportunities.

 

We were proud to be awarded the 10 year Investors in People award, Bristol Standards in Early Years Foundation Stage, Financial Management Standard in Schools and revalidation of our Healthy School status.  The outstanding contributions made in Teaching and Learning have been recognised through gaining these awards.

 

 

What are we trying to improve?

 

Every year all members of the school community are given the opportunity to comment on school improvements.  We also carefully analyse all the assessment results to identify further actions.  This self-evaluation process culminates in the School Development Plan ensuring a cohesive programme for whole school development.  It sets out Action Plans and Targets, providing information about how the school will move forward and how we will provide value for money.  All staff are given Continuing Professional Development opportunities in order to keep up to date with initiatives and are able to teach to the very highest standard. 

 

A priority for this year has been Assessment for Learning and Assessing Pupil Progress (APP) in Literacy and Maths.  We continue to do our utmost to raise standards in these subjects.  Another priority is to further develop the teaching and learning of Modern Foreign Languages across the school and to raise global awareness through our creative curriculum theme of Global Skills.

 

The school is currently working towards level 1 of the UNICEF Rights and Responsibilities award which is under the umbrella of the Every Child Matters agenda.

 

 

How are we making sure that every child gets teaching to meet their individual needs?

 

At Sharpness Primary School our Equal Opportunities Policy states that we value the contribution that every child and every adult can make within our school community.  This means that whatever their background, ability or need, everyone is equally valued and we treat each other with respect.

 

We carefully monitor assessment results and have found no pattern of repeated underachievement amongst any specific group.  We regularly assess children by tracking their progress and teachers keep comprehensive records.  Children are given individual targets in terms 1, 3 and 5 which are shared with pupils and their parents and followed up with a written annual school report in July.

 

Children experiencing difficulties in their learning are identified quickly and assessed, so that intervention programmes can be swiftly put into action to ensure that they too reach their full potential.

 

Some children are identified as being gifted or talented and are placed on the school's Gifted and Talented register.  Teachers plan carefully for these children ensuring that their needs are met.

 

This personalised approach is a means to tailoring learning to the needs, interests and aspirations of each individual.