CE Primary School Brightwell cum Sotwell

Brightwell cum Sotwell

CE Primary School

Greenmere

Brightwell cum Sotwell

Wallingford

Oxfordshire

OX10 0QH

t: 01491 837024

w: brightwell.oxon.sch.uk

“Pupils are sociable and

articulate and keenly take on

responsibility, making

an excellent contribution

to the community.”

(Ofsted 2010)

“In a school such

as ours, we are

privileged to be

able to get to

know each child

as an individual.

We promote a

family atmosphere

and work in close

partnership with

parents.”

Liz Hunt

(Headteacher)

Here at Brightwell, we encourage

every member of the school to

take responsibility for their own

behaviour, actions and learning.

We develop self confidence in a

caring and cooperative environment,

nurturing a passion for education.

We expect our children to be

responsible citizens by encouraging

honesty, flexibility, resilience,

independence, and respect for

others. Our fully inclusive approach

ensures that all pupils regardless of

ability, educational or physical need,

work seamlessly together in a calm

and purposeful atmosphere.

“Pupils are a credit to the school.

They are well cared for and their

Helping our children achieve their bestWe are a small Church of England school at the heart of a

beautiful village. We pride ourselves on educating children in a

friendly, supportive atmosphere enabling them to flourish.

spiritual, moral, social and cultural

development is excellent.”

(Ofsted 2010)

We celebrate success in all areas.

Pupils are proud of their school and

their opinion is heard and has a real

impact on the planning of school

improvement. “I like this school

because it is a democracy” (Year 5

pupil, in conversation with an Ofsted

Inspector!)

We welcome visitors at any time.

If you would like to visit the school

then please do not hesitate to

contact the office.

Liz Hunt

(Headteacher)

“The teachers are very

supportive and will

always take the time to

work through any issues

or concerns.”

Parent

“It is so enjoyable

to teach and learn

in this relaxed,

caring, family

environment.”

Teacher

The curriculum is carefully planned

to encompass National Curriculum

Objectives around topic areas in

which the children are interested.

English and Maths are taught using

the National Framework as a basis;

however, the work is divided up by

the teachers across the year to link

in with topics and events to make

learning relevant, practical and

hands-on. In this way we ensure

that all children’s learning styles

are catered for, broadening and

deepening their experiences.

Highly trained Teaching Assistants

work in class alongside the teacher

to support children with their

learning. Each child is closely

monitored throughout the year to

ensure that they continue to make

good progress.

Children with Special Educational

Needs are provided for in

accordance with the SEN Code

of Practice and the curriculum

is adapted to ensure full access

wherever possible.

In year 4 every child is taught

to play the clarinet and has the

opportunity to continue learning

throughout Years 5 and 6.

Our curriculum is enriched by a

variety of extra curricular activities

including School Choir, French,

Bridge, Flute, Guitar, Piano,

Football, Netball, Tennis, Art,

Nature, Science, Cookery, Dance,

Karate, Gardening etc. These

provide all pupils with opportunities

to learn new skills, helping to bring

subjects alive and enabling them

to further their learning whilst

developing their teamwork.

At Brightwell School the teachers make all lessons as engaging

and exciting as possible.

School Curriculum

big image

“Because it is a relatively small

school, the children know

everyone and are recognised

as individuals.”

Parent

“Brightwell School

is a friendly place

with a happy, caring

environment.”

Parent

We are very much a part of our

local village and encourage the

children to take full advantage of

the beautiful area around us. We

make regular visits to the churches,

allotments, shop, garden centre,

local care home and farms, building

our appreciation of the variety of

local architecture, history and

family life.

Our proximity to Wittenham

Clumps means we take advantage

of all opportunities for outdoor

education. In collaboration with the

Earth Trust, our children regularly

benefit from practical experience of

activities such as pond dipping, soil

sampling, and identifying bugs in

their natural habitat.

Recent visits have included trips

to The Mary Rose and Hampton

Court to meet Henry the Eighth, the

Black Country Museum to explore

Victorian Life and The Ashmolean

Museum to find out more about the

Greeks and Anglo Saxons.

We love performing too! Our

production of ‘Oliver’ the musical

was a great hit. Our Christmas

Nativity is always a highlight and

the Year 6 leavers put on a fabulous

performance every year. This

gives the children an amazing

amount of confidence and enables

us to develop their creative skills

including dancing, singing, stage

management, script writing and

set building.

We make very good use of our new school minibus, enabling

teachers to organise a range of local educational visits to

support the curriculum.

Broadening Horizons

“There are so many sports

clubs, with great equipment,

which help promote the school’s

healthy living ethos.”

Parent

“The school’s the

heartbeat of

village life.”

Governor

We have strong links with the

Parish Churches and enjoy services

at St Agatha’s as well as visits from

local clergy.

Residents from Sotwell Hill House

visit us here at the school and

invite the children to sing at

Christmas time.

The children benefit from a wealth

of opportunities brought into school

by local craftsmen, businesses,

parents and friends.

We take pride in our village,

participating in the village fete,

The Community Association Carol

Evening and Wallingford Carnival.

Friends of Brightwell School

(FOBS), the Parents’ Association,

organise year round social and

fund raising activities for children

and parents – including discos,

Christmas market, summer fair,

and quizzes.

We enjoying working with

other schools – sharing sports

activities, dance festivals, singing,

swimming galas, netball and

football tournaments.

Our sense of community extends

beyond the local area. We have

strong links with a School in

Uganda, with whom our pupils

have pen-friends. In conjunction

with The Free Church the children

delight in sending Christmas

boxes to children in Africa and

Eastern Europe.

Sense of communityEducation extends beyond the classroom……

big image

“The nicest thing for me about the school is that it feels very

much part of the community, like an extended family.”

Parent

I Brightwell♥“We love dressing up on World Book Day”

“Our children are

never lost

for words!”

Parent

“We love the sports tournaments because everyone is allowed to play and everyone has a great time. ”

“We like raising money by having

Children in Need Days and cake sales.”

“We love doing DT because we do fun things like design our own torches and pop-up books.”

“I love writing articles for the school newspaper and working as a team.”

“I love going to the theatre to watch the pantomime every year

because we see a different one each time and get ice cream.”

“I love the teachers because they are kind and helpful and also teach us new things everyday.”

“I love all the school trips because they are all different and all fun.”

“I love learning the clarinet and how to read music.”

“We loved going to the Earth Trust and we were able to make our own wattle and daub wall at school.”