Grange Valley Prospectus

Grange Valley Prospectus

Grange Valley Primary School & Nursery I n s p i r e t o Gu i d e

C h a l l e n g e

& A c h i e v e

Welcome to our outstanding school!

Our Mission Statement is: 'Inspire to guide, challenge and achieve' We are a family orientated, caring community school where all children thrive and have the opportunity to exceed their potential through work and play. We foster a caring and welcoming ethos which is commented upon by many visitors and our children achieve well. Aside from academic success, we pride ourselves on giving our children many opportunities to learn and develop in order to become great citizens in the future. The symbols on our school badge relate to our idyllic setting in the heart of the Haydock community. We hope that this prospectus will give you a flavour of the wide range of wonderful activities and exciting curriculum we have to offer. We believe that it is our responsibility to provide our children with every opportunity to discover, be creative, develop strong friendships and have fantastic memories that they will cherish for the rest of their lives. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive school., ensuring that we work together to promote equal opportunity for all, regardless of gender, culture, religion or ability. We welcome diversity!

We are proud of the excellent progress that our children make and this is achieved by quality first teaching and support. Challenging targets are set for all children. Progress is celebrated and shared with parents/carers on a regular basis. All our children, including those with special educational needs and those who have been identified as academically more able, will be given opportunities within lessons and through extracurricular activities to use and develop their own gifts and talents. Myself, the governors and staff, believe that it is our responsibility to provide the children with every opportunity to discover, to be creative, to develop strong friendships and have fantastic memories that they will cherish for the rest of their lives. Everyone at Grange Valley understands the importance of creating an environment in which the children can ‘fly high’. We continually look to improve our school and our resources to ensure that our children are not only safe, but are free to explore, learn and discover. You are very welcome to come and visit us! Kindest Regards, Mrs Dianne Holcroft Mrs Catherine Mavers Executive Headteacher Head of School & Inclusion

“ Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. ” N E L S O N M A N D E L A

Guide

Staff & children have been involved in setting the school vision and values alongside the governing body. The whole school community has worked hard to create a culture of trust, dedication and care. All visitors to school comment of the palpable culture and ethos. All senior leaders set high expectations of staff and children, they lead by example and create a very positive learning culture.

Meet our Leadership Team

Mrs Dianne Holcroft Executive Headteacher

Mrs Catherine Mavers Head of school & Inclusion

Mrs Sheena Bailey Business Manager

Miss Sarah Hitchen Head of Teaching & Learning

Mrs Emma Bacon Head of Early Years

Mrs Amy Kruze Assistant Head

Mrs Audrey Barker Safeguarding & Pastoral Lead

School Governors The governing body's main aim is to help raise standards of achievement and make sure the school provides a good quality education. The day-to-day management of the school is the responsibility of the Executive Headteacher and staff. Rather than manage, Governors are there to help shape the school's future direction and focus. We have six working committees and a full governing body meeting, that takes place termly. Currently, we are holding meetings during the school day so that our governors are submerged into the life of the school and have a better understanding of the way we work. A typical 'Governor Day' may consist of:

Head of Inclusion / SENCo - Mrs Catherine Mavers At Grange Valley Primary School, we strive to support all children to enable them to achieve at school. In order to do this, many steps are taken to support them through their learning journey. Quality teaching is vital; however for some children, there are occasions when further positive support may be needed to help them to achieve their targets.

A learning walk around school Formal and informal meetings with staff Talking to children Committee meetings A full governing body meeting

MALCOLM FORBES

Challenge

We promote our school values (guide, challenge & achieve) and adopted values (truth, friendship & respect) through whole school assemblies. Healthy Me - Children have a very clear understanding of how to keep healthy, physically and emotionally. Our Computing curriculum enable children to stay safe online and regular updates are provided for parents to enable them to support their children. Relationships education is taught across the school. Active citizens - There are a number of ways that our children demonstrate they are active citizens in the school and wider community. The children take on roles such as ‘Learning Councils’, ‘Mini Leaders’ ‘Playground Buddies’ and ‘School Council Representative’; leading to relationships across the age groups and school improvements based on pupil voice. Our School Council aims to: develop confidence and responsibility and make the most of their abilities, prepare children to play an active role as citizens, develop healthy, safer lifestyles, develop good relationships and respect the differences between people and enables them to have a “voice” and to share their opinions and ideas with others. Talents & Experiences - We strive to enable a broader development for children, enabling them to develop and discover their interests and talents. We give opportunities for children to attend a range of enrichment activities both inside and outside of the school day. Outside coaches are used to develop children’s skills as well as teachers and learning assistants. The Children’s University programme is used as an incentive to build up extra-curricular ‘learning hours.’ School residentials are built into the curriculum offer to enhance classroom learning, with our most recent taking place as an overnight stay on our school field. These are well-attended and provide a wealth of experiences whilst building resilience, independence, self-confidence and communication skills. Forest School, led by a trained teacher, has helped the children to increase confidence, social skills, communication skills, physical skills and build self- resilience.

Behaviour & Attitudes for Learning: Children are confident and motivated to learn which is a key factor in their recent attainment and progress. An overwhelming majority of learners' conduct in lessons and behaviour around the school is exemplary. Learners support each other, take pride in their school, are polite, kind, well mannered, have respect for themselves and each other and have a distinct understanding of knowing right from wrong. Teachers and pupils are clear about what constitutes outstanding behaviour. At Grange Valley, we prepare learners for life in modern Britain by: equipping them to be responsible, respectful, active citizens who contribute positively to society; developing their understanding of fundamental British values; developing their understanding and appreciation of diversity; celebrating what we have in common and promoting respect for the different protected characteristics as defined in law. These are taught and celebrated within our school values. In house tracking systems are robust, GAP analysis and progress meetings take place regularly. Teachers have a comprehensive understanding of the pupils in their classes. Teachers use the information about pupils’ strengths and weaknesses well. They leave nothing to chance. – Ofsted 2016/7 Local and global links - In 2020, we achieved the International Schools Quality Mark Gold Award. Our curriculum ensures that children make links with things that are both familiar and non. We have developed excellent international links with a school in Spain and Tanzania. Reading is at the heart of our curriculum! Our rigorous approach to the teaching of reading develops confidence and enjoyment . We provide an excellent menu of extra-curricular activities – children have access to a variety of clubs both academic and extracurricular. Staff organise clubs on a need’s basis for children. Clubs have included: music, grammar club, cricket club, phonics boost, reading with parents, football, dance, early morning running club and guitar.

“Children have real understanding only of that which they invent themselves.” Jean Piaget

Achieve

We are proud of the progress our children make during their time with us. Everyone matters and we always promote positive attitudes towards learning and discovery. We hold regular “celebration assemblies” to congratulate pupils on attendance, good citizenship, excellent learning behaviours and personal achievements. We also celebrate sporting success, outside achievements and those children who have been living our school values. Our pupils are encouraged to develop as well-rounded individuals! Our Curriculum we offer has been designed by the staff and children to provide a bespoke, unique and exciting learning experience which, through the nurturing of curiosity, aims for our pupils to develop into articulate learners with high aspirations. Within this broad and balanced approach, we place an important emphasis on developing resilience and perseverance and promoting well-being and health, with reading at the heart of everything that we do. Our ‘knowledge-engaged’ approach to subject disciplines, provides opportunities to build upon both knowledge and skills. Subjects are discretely taught (using the new EYFS framework, Development Matters and the National Curriculum as a basis and enhanced by carefully selected pedagogical research) and focussed upon progressively developing pupils’ knowledge, skills and vocabulary; attributes which our pupils can then take on through every step of their academic journey. All subjects are centrally driven by our values and ethos - Inspire to Guide, Challenge & Achieve- which permeate throughout everything that we do. The purpose of our curriculum is to ensure that our children are successful in life and learning, no matter what their starting points and barriers to learning may be. As a school, our curriculum sets high expectations for each and every child, meaning that we are relentless in our commitment to provide rich learning experiences which gives our children hope and ambition for the future.

Just as popular superheroes are provided with talents which they use to better the world, we believe that all our children are provided with their own talents which they can use to harness their achievements and aspirations.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Dr. Seuss,

Our Early Years …

If you have any questions about our nursery or you would like to come for a look around, please contact us on 01744 678300 or email [email protected]

We offer 15/30 hours childcare for all 2, 3 and 4 year old children. We provide 15 hour childcare between 9am and 12pm OR 1pm and 4pm. We provide 30 hours childcare between 9am and 3pm. Further wrap around is available for all 3 and 4 year old children from 8am to 6pm for an additional charge

Our OUTSTANDING Ofsted inspection stated... ‘Early years is a hive of activity in which children are absorbed in their learning’. ‘Staff are highly vigilant, making sure children are safe and well cared for’. ‘Children get off to a flying start. Staff make sure that they get to know children before they join the Nursery, so that they can help children settle in quickly. Staff encourage children to develop independence in those early days, so that children are quickly able to make the most of their learning time’. ‘Staff use this information well to inform their interactions with children and assess their learning. Consequently, children make rapid gains in their knowledge and skills, catching up quickly from their different starting points’.

“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.”

Albert Einstein

All governors and professionals will accept and embrace their professional responsibility to care for every child and young person within the Partnership. They will be open to change, treating all within the wider community with dignity and respect at all times. Every child has the right to the highest quality academic, social, emotional, spiritual and physical education. High quality intervention will be provided when appropriate to ensure the learning needs of ALL pupils are met at the earliest opportunity (inc in early years). Those involved in Partnership leadership and governance accept responsibility to a high quality in-service training and an appraisal process that is challenging and supportive to enable outstanding teaching and leadership All children will be nurtured within an agreed moral framework secured through British values, Christian values, values of community schools and the values identified in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. There will be clear structures in place to ensure that the voices of all children and stakeholders within the Partnership are heard and valued. The partnership will value and respect each school’s distinctive ethos and identity. To identify and foster the passions that motivates each child and provides an atmosphere where children enjoy learning and want to go to school Since September 2017, Mrs. Dianne Holcroft, the Headteacher of our School, has been employed as the Executive Headteacher over Wargrave CofE Primary School. Shared leadership and management has ensured that every child has the access to the highest quality academic, social, emotional, spiritual and physical education in both schools. The link between the two schools has been successful in ensuring stability and raised expectations for Wargrave C of E and has also provided excellent career progression for the staff at Grange Valley. Guiding Principles The following principles will guide and secure the purpose and goals of the Partnership. They strengthen the Partnership and are non-negotiable. A special partnership

School Session Times Breakfast Club 7.45am - 8.50am Morning school begins 8.50 am Morning school ends 12:00 noon Afternoon school begins 1.00 pm Afternoon school ends 3.25 pm After-school Club 3.25pm – 6.00pm

Admission arrangements

Full details of the Local Authority Admission Arrangements can be found at: https://www.sthelens.gov.uk/schools-education/school-admissions Any requests by parents to visit the school should be made via the school office who will be pleased to arrange a mutually convenient time.

Grange Valley Primary School & Nursery Heyes Avenue Haydock St Helens

Merseyside WA11 0XQ 01744 678300

[email protected] www.grangevalley.st-helens.sch.uk @grangevalley1