User:J.M.Sutton/sandbox/Aldryngton Primary School

Aldryngton Primary School is situated in Earley with capacity for 315 pupils aged between 4 and 11 years of age. The school provides all pupils with an outstanding quality of education within the context of a happy and caring school community. By means of excellent teaching and a highly stimulating curriculum, tailored to the needs of individuals, pupils achieve exceptionally well.

Underpinned by a caring and inclusive ethos, the school uses strong teamwork and partnerships in order that pupils experience success in many different ways. We continue to be committed to high academic standards and promote maturity, independence and hard work. Pupils are encouraged to take on challenge and responsibility in developing a desire for learning that will remain with them throughout their lives’.

Community cohesion is a priority for the school, children are encouraged to take part in community events and have raised money for various charities with a local, national and international focus. These include: Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice, Reading Drop in Centre, Reading Young Carers, Comic Relief and sponsoring a child in Nepal. Links with other Earley schools are developed through cluster meetings, staff training and opportunities for children to work collaboratively.

History
Aldryngton Primary School was founded in 1964 to service the needs of the newly built hosing estate in Early. The School was extended in ….. During the 2014/2015 school year the school celebrated its Golden Jubilee with a number of events: •	Jubilee Day event with an Open Afternoon and evening celebration event attended by 600+ past, pupils and staff. •	Planting of 5 Alder trees at the bottom of the school field and installation of benching to emulate the School Crest. •	School picnic on the field •	Whole school photograph •	Burying of a time capsule

In 2011 the school was again inspected by OFSTED. As a result of the inspection the school achieved the status of being an 'Outstanding' school.

Campus/school site
Aldryngton shares a site with Maiden Erlegh School, Maiden Erlegh Pre-School and the local library within a residential area in Earley. The school grounds are used for study, sport and play. A pond, outdoor stage, storyteller’s reading area, gardens and Foundation Stage area create opportunities for learning and the outdoor play equipment provides our pupils with additional recreational activities. The school enjoys the benefits of a heated open-air swimming pool which is used throughout the summer months and is operated in partnership with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) for family use. The school has eleven classrooms, a large hall, a library, a music room and a computer suite. Our hall is used for assemblies, music, PE, drama and at lunchtimes to serve hot lunches, which are cooked on site, or to eat packed lunches brought in from home. Additional small group work areas provide staff with the facilities to work with individual / small groups of pupils for support / extension purposes.

School Organisation
Within the school there are three departments as listed below: pupils are class-based and have their own class teacher but may be taught by another teacher for subjects taught in ability groups such as maths and English.

As pupils progress through the school they are provided with a range of opportunities to enable them to become increasingly independent and to take on responsibilities of an age-appropriate level. This may begin with simple self-help strategies through to class monitor roles and ultimately to whole school roles.

School Council
The pupils at Aldryngton are encouraged to take an active part in decision-making processes and in supporting the running of the school. The School Council meets regularly to discuss ways to improve the school, taking into account Class Council discussions. Elections are held annually in all classes to select the Council representatives.

Aldryngton Assistants (AAs)
Aldryngton Assistants are pupil volunteers who help to ensure the younger children enjoy their lunchtimes by organising games and supporting the Lunchtime staff in caring for them.

Peer Mediators
Year 6 volunteers are trained in the skill of conflict resolution and once a week work in pairs to provide a service to their peers during lunchtime. Their work is monitored and supported by a member of staff.

House Captains
Aldryngton uses a House system to reward achievement and effort in a range of ‘house events’ throughout the year. Each house elects Year 6 pupils to carry out the roles of captain and vice captain. Sports captains and vice captains are also elected to oversee Aldryngton’s inter-house events.

School Uniform
Grey/Navy trousers/shorts Navy/Grey skirt/pinafore Red and white checked summer dress Red sweatshirt/cardigan White/red polo shirt or white shirt/blouse Grey/white or black tights/socks Flat heeled shoes/sandals

Curriculum
Aldryngton’s success lies in our structured approach and focus on developing our pupils’ key skills and knowledge within a creative and exciting curriculum tailored to their needs. Opportunities to use and apply their skills with relevant cross-curricular links are central to the school’s curriculum. Aldryngton makes use of specialist teachers and coaches to further enhance its teaching provision in areas such as music, PE, RE and French. Example topics covered generally with a history and geography focus: Foundation: The World We Live In, Traditional Rhymes and Tales and People Who Help Us Years 1 and 2: Toys Through Time, Big Events and Famous People and On the Move Years 3 and 4: Food and Packaging, Ancient Greeks and All Around the World Years 5 and 6: Life in the Twentieth Century, The Americas and Conflict (The Romans)

Foundation
There are three prime and four specific areas of learning. The prime areas of learning are communication and language, physical development and personal, social and emotional development. The specific areas of learning are literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts and design.

English
Throughout their time at Aldryngton great emphasis is placed on acquiring the key literacy skills of reading, writing and speaking and listening as outlined in the new National Curriculum. The school uses a range of strategies, approaches and resources to develop these areas making use of cross-curricular links whenever possible.

Mathematics
The curriculum covers number, measurement, data handling, shape and space work. We aim to make mathematics enjoyable, challenging and creative and tailored to all pupils’ needs.

Science
Pupils are taught in line with the content of the National Curriculum covering physical, chemical and biological processes. They are encouraged to develop skills of planning and carrying out increasingly complex fair tests, recording and drawing conclusions from their work. Information & Communication Technology (ICT) ICT skills are taught throughout the school using a wide range of resources, including the Internet and programmable devices. Pupils are given opportunities to develop skills such as programming, word processing and data handling across the curriculum in order to enhance their understanding in other subject areas.

History
At Aldryngton our pupils initially study history in the context of their own lives through topics such as ‘My family’ and ‘Toys’. They develop key skills such as chronology and the use of different forms of historical evidence. We aim for pupils to gain an understanding of the reasons for key changes and their impact on society.

Geography
Pupils develop their knowledge and understanding of people and places and environments both locally and throughout the world. They use a variety of resources such as maps, photographs and atlases to develop their skills and questioning. Throughout the school geography is supported, where possible, by field trips and links with children in other areas.

Design Technology (DT)
This aspect of the primary curriculum is often taught within the context of a project or topic. Pupils learn how to design and make products using a range of materials and tools in order to complete a set task. The end product could be a model, a structure, a food or textile item.

Art and Design
We aim to offer our pupils opportunities to be creative and to develop practical skills using a range of media, both two and three dimensional. Pupils are encouraged to appreciate the work of artists and designers from a range of time periods and cultures. The aim is to enhance their learning within art and design but other aspects of the curriculum also.

French
In Key Stage 1 the aim is to provide the children with an enjoyable informal introduction to the language. Key Stage 2 pupils are taught by the school’s French subject leader and additional specialist teachers. Through the use of conversation, games and songs, pupils are able to gain the confidence to understand and communicate in a foreign language.

Physical Education
Our pupils participate in games, athletics, gymnastics and dance, and in the summer, swimming and sports days. We also aim to develop the pupils’ co-ordination, strength and stamina. When engaged in competitive sporting activities both within school and in opposition to other schools, our pupils are encouraged to work with a sense of fairness and sportsmanship, both as part of a team and individually.

Music
Pupils develop their understanding and enjoyment of music through listening, composing and performing. We have a school choir which offers a range of performing opportunities to its members. Visiting teachers provide the children with the opportunity to learn the violin, cello, keyboard and brass instruments. Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) At Aldryngton the PSHCE curriculum aims to give our pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to become informed active and responsible citizens of the future including the topics of feelings, safety and healthy living.

Religious Education (RE)
RE is provided in accordance with the Pan Berkshire Agreed Syllabus for RE. Pupils learn about the key features of Christianity and other main religions. There is a key focus on helping pupils to develop understanding, tolerance, respect and appreciation for the feelings and views of others. Pupils visit places of worship and enjoy the input of visitors who are invited into school to share aspects of their beliefs and practices. Philosophy for Children (P4C) P4C aims to teach reasoning and discussion skills. At Aldryngton children take part in short ‘Thunking Time’ sessions and longer ‘Community of Enquiry’ sessions. These involve children discussing a wide range of interesting philosophical questions which increase their confidence, independence and motivation.

Homework
Homework is set to support and extend our pupils’ learning and as such is often directly linked to work covered in the class. Parents are encouraged to take an active interest in their child’s homework. It is hoped that they will find time to support their child with homework activities such as reading and sharing books, learning spellings, number bonds and tables and the completion of specific project work. The amount of homework pupils receive gradually increases as they progress through the school as outlined in the school’s homework policy. If parents have any concerns regarding their child’s homework they are asked to contact their child’s teacher to discuss the matter.

Curriculum enrichment
Many aspects of the curriculum are enhanced by trips out or through visitors coming to the school.

School trips
The school provides a regular programme of school trips to enhance the curriculum. Pupils have visited Winsor Castle, Ufton Court, Lacock Abbey Oxford and Beale Park. Year Six have the opportunity to go on a residential trip to Little Canada on the Isle of Wight.

School Visitors
Visitors into school who have helped with our curriculum enrichment: RE Inspired, Berkshire Fire Service, The Road Safety Road Show, Department of Justice, Local senior citizens, PCSO Representative, Maiden Erlegh Library.

Extracurricular activities
Aldryngton offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities for its pupils, many provided on a voluntary basis by staff and friends of the school and others on a subscription basis run by outside agencies such as Reading Play. These clubs run before, during and after school. The range offered varies according to the time of year, pupil interest and the availability of the organisers. Examples of clubs offered include cross-country, netball, football, gymnastics, knitting, nature, choir and badminton. A list of current clubs can be found on the school website or on the Activities Board in the school hall. Some clubs start in Year 1 but most are available from Years 3-6. Face Events run a Holiday Club, based in school, for all holidays apart from Christmas.

Houses
When students join the school they become a member of a house. The house system provides a structure for pastoral care and competition through sports (including amongst others rugby, netball athletics, football hockey), music, drama and day-to-day studies through the award of house points and commendations. Each house is overseen by a Head of House and their Deputy who co-ordinate the appointment of vice-prefects, prefects, house captains and strive to encourage their students to deliver their best.

There are three houses at the school: Beaver, Kiwi and Wallaby. Each house is associated with a colour as shown in the table below.

Aldryngton alumni
Pupils from Aldryngton school move on to a number of educational settings upon leaving with the main cohort attending Maiden Erleigh Secondary School. Past Alumni of Aldryngton Primary school include:

Matthew Syed – 3 time commonwealth table tennis champion and double Olympian