What have been our successes this year?

Wickhambrook Community Primary school has had many successes this year.

• Our key Stage 1 SAT's results show that at level 3 we are above the national average by 16%

in speaking and listening, 3% in reading and 3% in writing.

• We have expanded provision in the centre for Specific Learning Differences. The centre is well

resourced and staff expertise ensures schools in the Western area requiring outreach work have

access to this.

• The quality and quantity of reading books has been improved. Pupils have a wider choice of

reading material which is more relevant to their needs.

• More intervention programmes have been introduced so targeting pupils specific needs/areas

of difficulty.

• All pupils have individual targets in literacy and numeracy which are shared with parents,

enabling them to see how to improve the quality of their work.

• Assemblies in school have been given a new focus/improved structure.

• The behaviour policy has been re-written with the help of parents, staff and the school council.

• A pack of induction materials has been developed for new parents.

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• The profile of the school has been raised in the locally.

• A school travel plan has been successfully submitted.

• The school has achieved Healthy School's status.

What are we trying to improve?

We are currently working on the following outstanding areas from our School Improvement Plan.

• To raise further pupils attainment in all areas of the curriculum

• To achieve Dyslexia friendly status.

• To develop a paired/buddy reading system.

• The development of a library of maths games for Foundation and year 1 pupils to borrow.

• To achieve Investors in People Status.

• To improve attendance rates throughout the school and reduce both the authorised and

unauthorised attendance.

• To raise the profile and uptake of school dinners.

• To use SIM's Software more appropriately for the management of school data.

• To re-write a number of school policies including Personal, Social and Health Education,

Science, Religious Education and Music.

In addition we are working towards planning successfully for the School Re-organisation which is

due to take place in 2010 and ensuring the school has good assessment and monitoring

procedures in place.

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How have our results changed over time?

Children in the Foundation stage make a good start, comparing favourably with the LEA averages

across the 13 areas assessed in the Foundation stage profile.

As in most schools with small cohorts, our results can fluctuate from year to year depending on the

ability levels and special educational needs of the children, however we continue to remain above

the National average for reading, writing and maths at the end of key stage 1.

Results show that the intervention programmes we have in place have a positive impact on pupils

abilities.

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

needs?

It is not expected that every child will develop in the same way and we recognise that our pupils

learn best when they are actively engaged in their own learning. We plan exciting lessons which

engage, enthuse and challenge pupils.

Children's progress is monitored by on going teacher assessments, moderating work, tracking

progress and tests. Differentiated work and individual learning targets ensure that individual needs

are met, but if progress needs more structured support, additional provision is detailed in an

Individual Education Plan (IEP). Approximately 20% of our pupils are supported in this way. IEP's

are reviewed termly and pupils with IEP's are supported individually and in small groups by

teaching assistants. Pastoral support programmes and Behaviour support plans are initiated if

necessary.

We liaise closely with outside agencies such as Speech and Language, the Educational Welfare

officer and Educational Psychologist.

Gifted and Talented pupils are identified and supported to enable their needs to be met.

Each child has differentiated targets in literacy and numeracy which are shared with parents.

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What have pupils told us about the school, and what have we done as a

result?

Pupils at Wickhambrook have a powerful voice and everyone has the opportunity to participate.

The school council consists of two pupils from each year group who meet regularly with the

Headteacher. Ideas and topics affecting the whole school are discussed. School Council meetings

have resulted in changes such as pupils being able to sit where they wish in the dining room

instead of being allocated seats.

We encourage the children to share in school decisions as much as possible for example in setting

up class rules, fund raising activities and in choosing new school resources. During 2008 pupils

worked to plan a fundraising day for "Togs for Dogs" incorporating a range of ideas and activities.

Children are encouraged to discuss social issues and problems during PSHE lessons, in circle time

and during more formal meetings. Playground Buddys have been initiated at pupils request.

Pupils views have also been sought using pupil perception interviews, class questionnaires and

individual questionnaires. These questionnaires allow staff to identify and address the ideas and

concerns that individuals and groups have.

How do we make sure our pupils are healthy, safe and well-supported?

Our school actively provides the following initiatives.

• Programmes of physical exercise both as part of the curriculum and through after school

clubs. This includes use of the school swimming pool during the second half of the Summer term.

• Use of an excellent range of play equipment at playtimes.

• Teaching (through PSHE and science) knowledge and understanding of healthy eating, drug

awareness, the importance of exercise, stranger danger and road safety.

• Participation in the Governments free fruit scheme for Key Stage 1 children. In addition fruit

is given to older children whenever possible. Only healthy snacks such as fruit and vegetables are

permitted at playtime.

• Children are encouraged to bring water to drink in class. Milk is available for all children to buy.

• A healthy school dinner menu. Meals are cooked on site and pupils are offered a healthy

choice including daily salads and fresh fruit/vegetables.

• Use of the local community services e.g. dental health nurse, school nurse, rural police etc.

• A range of policies are in place which are reviewed regularly e.g. Safeguarding Children

• Pupils in year 4 undertake Cycling Proficiency.

• The school has achieved Healthy Schools status.

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What activities and options are available to pupils?

Our school vision is "The Place for Happy and Creative Learning" and as such we offer our children

a very broad and balanced curriculum which includes many opportunities for interesting activities

both during and after the school day.

Our daily act of collective worship and religious education are non-denominational.

The school actively fosters links with neighbouring schools to join together in providing the

following:

• Music mornings

• Skittleball/football tournaments

• Be Smart Keep Fit days

• Multi Sports

Visits and activities are also organised for our year 4 pupils with the neighbouring middle schools.

In addition the school provides its own extra curricular activities which include:

• Football

• Drama

• Recorders

• Cookery

• Art

• Tennis

• Science

• Swimming

• Gardening

There is an annual sports day and swimming gala.

Children participate in school trips and visits which link into the particular topic which they are

studying. Pupils are actively involved in helping others through activities designed to raise charity

funds e.g. Harvest Festival, Children in Need and Togs for Dogs.

Before and after school care is available at "Happy Days" in the neighbouring village with which the

school has close links.

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How are we working with parents and the community?

Parents are encouraged to become actively involved in their child's education. Work is always

available for scrutiny. Three parents evenings are held annually and a written report is sent home

detailing their child's progress and attainment. Each child has a home/school diary which acts as

an additional communication tool. Parents attend a termly shared work assembly. Parents are sent

an entry and exit questionnaire and invited to at least one parents forum a year. Those with issues

and concerns are encouraged to talk to their child's teacher so the matter can be resolved quickly.

Teachers are available to talk to parents at the end of the school day. We have some

parents/carers who regularly come into school to support children with reading and other activities.

We have an active PTA who hold events throughout the year to raise funds for all pupils in the form

of additional resources. Local members of the community are invited to lead assemblies each week

and we make use of the Methodist Church and village hall. The school is also involved in

supporting the village carnival. Members of the community contributed to the development of the

recent school Travel plan.

What do our pupils do after leaving this school?

Wickhambrook school is currently parts of the LEA's 3 tier system and our children leave at the end

of year 4 to transfer to middle school. The middle schools for our catchment area are Clare Middle

school and St. Felix Middle School in Newmarket. The majority of our children go to Clare but those

on the Lidgate side of the village go to St. Felix. Sometimes parents choose to send their children

to one of the middle schools in Bury St. Edmunds or very occasionally to private schools. Children

attending Clare Middle school go on to Samuel Ward school in Haverhill, whilst St. Felix pupils go

to Newmarket High School.

During their final year at the school pupils engage in a range of transition activities with the

neighbouring schools. These help them to mix with a range of children, some of whom they will

meet again at their middle school. it also allows them to start to gain familiarity with the facilities the

middle schools have. Each pupil attends their receiving school for an Induction day. For some

pupils who have specific needs extra visits may be organised.

During their final year there are liaison meetings with staff. Pupils records are sent to the receiving

schools.

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What have we done in response to Ofsted?

The school's last Ofsted inspection was 13th and 14th June 2007. Following their advice we have:

•

Developed a target setting system so each child has individual targets in writing, reading and

mathematics

•

Extended opportunities for writing across the school community

More Information

If you would like more information about school policies, including our policies on special

educational needs and disability, admissions, finance, school food and our complaints procedure,

please contact us:

Our website http://www.wickhambrookschool.co.uk

By telephone 01440 820309