CHRIST CHURCH PADGATE
Christ Church School has been judged as Outstanding following an OFSTED Inspection in June. This is thoroughly merited, following dedicated years of meticulous planning, development and teaching of a curriculum tailored to meet the needs of all children, irrespective of ability. The inspectors remarked on the happy school atmosphere and how the children enjoyed coming to school. “Staff and pupils know they are valued …” and “… parents comment positively on the approachability of staff. The well trained support staff make a good contribution to pupils’ learning under the direction of teaching staff…”
Great credit is due to Mr Ian Williams, the Head Teacher, who has very ably led his excellent staff who together have formed a formidable team for the successful advancement of education. “This school does not rest on its laurels…. The school is in an excellent position to sustain and escalate improvement still further."
OFSTED categorise schools in four grades: 1 is Outstanding, 2 is Good, 3 is Satisfactory and 4 is Inadequate. Thirty three aspects (similarly graded) are combined to give the overall grade, comprising areas such as early years development, achievement of standards, personal pupil development and well being, quality of teaching, leadership and management. Our school scored 29 aspects at grade 1 and the other four at grade 2, serving to emphasise the “all round” quality of education delivered. “Leaders have successfully made links with a school in Malawi and one in France. Pupils have raised a considerable amount of money to support their partner school in Malawi…” and “During the inspection children were engrossed in learning about mini-beasts and where they live, following clues posted outside. Indoors, children made an animated film using their own plasticene models. The end result was educational and engaging. It was fun.”
On behalf of the Governors, I heartily thank everyone who works at and for the school for their sustained sterling work since the previous inspection and I congratulate them on their well deserved achievement.
Edward Collinson
Chair of Governors
Welcome to Longbarn Pupils
There will be significant changes at Christ Church school in September when we welcome new pupils transferred following the closure of Longbarn School. Whilst this has been “on the cards” for well over a year and some contingency planning for it had been made, the final announcement in the New Year has resulted in much extra work for Ian Williams, his staff and the governors in the subsequent months.
In addition to the normal new intake for the Autumn term, over fifty new pupils are transferring from Longbarn. Our top priorities have been to adapt the school building and class-rooms to accommodate the extra number (now with a maximum of forty-five pupils per year group instead of the previous thirty) and to ensure that the transfer is as smooth as possible for those moving.
In the Summer term all Longbarn parents and carers were invited to discuss the ramifications of the move and the needs for their children so that, using Longbarn records as well, educational plans could be drawn up. Staff from each school have been in regular contact and Longbarn pupils have come to Christ Church School to experience its ethos, school layout and organisation.
Our recent successes have been due to the high quality and dedication of the staff, which we have needed to expand. In April Jean Haynes retired as a Teaching Assistant (TA). For many years Jean has done much valuable work with the less able pupils, requiring patience and understanding, and her presence is much missed. The whole school was devastated when her husband Graham died in July. We pray that God will help Jean in her time of bereavement and great loss.
Jean will be replaced by Cathy Healy, TA, who will give Special Needs support across the school. Lynsey McHugh joins as a full-time Junior teacher and Emma Pearce will work half-time in the Infant Department. We also welcome Sian Williams in the Nursery.
We are sure that they will all be excellent assets to the school.
Building-wise, the new Library will open in September giving an open and airy atmosphere conductive to reading, discovery and learning. The middle infant room (previously used as an activity area) has been converted back to a classroom, and a modernised baking area is now close to the hall. Other classrooms have been refurbished and decorated.
Outside, a new access path has been made to the Nursery and Wasps* building. It may seem a rather round-about route, but it was necessary to give access without the need to cross the school front via the main gate in order to satisfy child protection criteria.
Finally it is a pleasure to welcome all our new pupils and staff. I’m sure that we are very well equipped to maintain the high standards we are now accustomed to. Mr Williams and all the staff deserve special praise for their superhuman efforts of last year!
Edward Collinson
Chair of Governors
*Wasps - pre/after school care building.
CLASS EUCHARIST AT CHRIST CHURCH SCHOOL
For some time we have been holding Class Eucharists in school. There are open to all parents and relatives and friends of the class that is attending the service. Members of our congregation also are very welcome and this provides another good opportunity for the church be more involved in the life of the school.
The Eucharist is usually held on every alternate Wednesday at 9.30 am in the middle area of the Infants section. Do come and support the children – you will be made very welcome. Usually the service is advertised in the weekly bulletin.
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Page updated 23/08/10