Staunton & Corse
C of E Academy
Prospectus
Welcome to
Staunton & Corse
We are a friendly, village school where
children come first and so thrive in a lively,
positive atmosphere. We were pleased to
have been rated Outstanding in all areas by
OFSTED in February 2015.
We are committed to providing a safe,
secure learning environment in which
Christian principles and values are
fostered. We aim to ensure that learners
are happy and confident, able to achieve
their full potential and equipped with the
skills necessary to achieve in the modern
world. Our ethos is simple:
Everyone is valued
Teamwork and fun
Honesty at all times
Outstanding effort
Something for everyone
I hope that this Prospectus gives you a
flavour of our Academy and will lead you to
want to learn more about it. I am very happy
to answer any queries that you may have
and warmly welcome you to come and visit
us so that you can see and experience our
Academy for yourself.
Jennie Dwight
Head Teacher
01452 840240
[email protected]
"I love coming
to school. I have
made loads of
friends"
- Jack, Year 1
High quality learning
experiences
The Curriculum
We believe that our Curriculum, rated
“Outstanding” by OFSTED in our last
inspection, provides a firm basis for our
motto “Something for Everyone”. We
ensure that all pupils have access to a
creative and engaging curriculum that gives
them opportunities to develop
independence and build a firm foundation
of factual knowledge.
We teach through broad and creative topic
themes which change three times a year in
line with Autumn, Spring and Summer
terms, although Class 1 change their topics
each half term.
We create links through our topics to many
areas of the curriculum such as English, Art
& Design and Geography, although other
areas such as Maths and Computer Studies
are often taught as discrete subjects.
Staunton & Corse Academy’s Curriculum
aligns with the new Primary National
Curriculum, taking the main themes of the
new Curriculum and utilising them within
our topic areas.
The Academy normally comprises 4 mixedage classes. The composition of these
depends on cohort sizes but generally our
classes are small and adult to pupil ratios
are favourable.
Staunton & Corse Academy is a
Voluntary Aided school which is
owned by the Church but
financed directly by the
government. As a result,
Christian principles play a large
part in the general education of
the children as well as being a
specific part of the curriculum.
The diocesan guidelines for
Religious Education are followed
with the Christian religion
forming the main part of our RE
studies, however time is also
allocated to the study of other
religions.
The children and staff
participate in a daily act of
worship, usually as a whole
school, but at times as Infants
and Juniors or as individual
classes. Our priest in charge
leads our worship once a week
and we have other regular
visitors who share in this. We
like to take the opportunity to
share our worship with other
members of the community,
such as part of iSingPOP and we
celebrate festivals such as
Christmas and Harvest at
Staunton Church. We work
together with our priest to plan
special events such as
Experience Harvest and holiday
club.
Parents who wish their children
to be exempted from RE and/or
worship are entitled to do so and
should apply to the Head
Teacher.
Early Years
Performing Arts
Children in the Foundation Stage are taught
in a single-aged Reception class, following
the mandatory Early Years Foundation
Stage framework. The advantage of this is
that children will have experienced it at
Playgroup or Nursery and it fits very well
with the creative approach to learning that
we adopt throughout the school.
Music and drama play an important part in
the life of the school. At the end of the
autumn term the children take part in
musical plays. Our large hall has its own
stage and lighting and is an ideal venue for
performances.
The teachers in Class 1 plan themed areas
and provide free learning opportunities.
Children will initiate learning experiences by
themselves and with their peers from these
starting points. At various times of the day
they will also work one to one or in small
groups with the teacher or teaching
assistant to improve their reading, writing
and mathematical skills.
The balance between child and adult led
activities gradually shifts towards more
activities led by adults to help children
prepare for more formal learning, ready for
year 1.
School events such as the Harvest Festival
and Christmas Carol Concert provide
further opportunities for children to
perform. We also frequently participate in
local schools’ music and dance festivals.
As well as whole class music lessons
children also have the opportunity of paid
instrumental tuition.
"Pupils make excellent
progress across the
school and a high
proportion of pupils make
better than expected
progress in all subjects."
- Ofsted, 2015
Sport and PE
Our aims are to promote physical activity
and healthy lifestyles, developing positive
attitudes and safe practices. This is
achieved through participation and
dedication, leading to enjoyment and
achievement.
The school has a large playing field, a hard
play area with a netball court and an
adventure playground. This gives the
children the opportunity to develop in a
number of sports including soccer, tag
rugby, netball, athletics, hockey, rounders
and cricket. Our excellent well-equipped
school hall is used for gymnastics, indoor
games and dance and our junior pupils go
swimming at Newent Community School on
a termly rotational basis.
A sports day is held in the summer term,
which all pupils are involved in, and they
also take part in annual local sports and
games tournaments. We play regular
matches against other schools, particularly
in football, netball and rounders.
Where children are
enriched and encouraged
Clubs
Trips and Residentials
A wide range of extra-curricular activities
are run by the teachers at the school. Some
of the clubs currently on offer include:
Visits to places of interest are made each
year. These are of an educational nature
and are not simply outings.
Art
Athletics
Cheerleading
Chess
Cricket
Football
Gardening
Netball
Recorder group
Tennis
Zumba
Year 5 and 6 pupils have the opportunity to
attend a residential trip, which is a great
event in the life of the school and much
enjoyed by the children. This trip
concentrates on extending children’s skills
in outdoor adventurous activities such as
climbing, abseiling, canoeing, orienteering
and archery, as well as giving them the
valuable experience of surviving (and
helping each other to survive) away from
home!
We strongly encourage children to
participate in at least one extra-curricular
activity to help build their confidence and
help them grow into well rounded
individuals.
Years 3 and 4 enjoy a short residential trip
to a more local location, which gives them
the opportunity to extend their
environmental knowledge and skills as well
as the experience of 2 nights away from
home.
"My teacher is
really nice, she
makes
everything fun"
- Chloe, Year 4
As a village school we are proud
of our strong links with the local
community. The local playgroup
meets at the school, learning
together with Reception pupils
on occasions. The local nursery
also visits.
The children entertain the
elderly people in local sheltered
accommodation and they enter
W.I. and other local
competitions. We also raise
money for one local and one
national charity each year and
hold an annual Macmillan coffee
morning.
The PTFA social functions
attract many local residents
who do not have children at the
school and the school building
itself is used as a venue for
village celebrations.
Many ex-pupils and other
teenagers from the village carry
out work experience and
community service in our school
and we help as many people as
possible from the local
community to obtain Teaching
Assistant qualifications. We are
lucky enough to host a range of
volunteer helpers in school every
week and to have strong and
active links with the local
Church.
A place where they are
treated as individuals
Special Educational Needs
Gifted and Talented
Disabilities
Our school policy is to adhere closely to the
Code of Practice so that we effectively
identify, assess and provide for those
children with Special Educational Needs.
The school recognises the importance of
addressing the needs of the most able in
each class and making sure that they are
adequately challenged.
Our modern school has excellent provision
for pupils with medical disabilities. We have
good access for wheelchairs at the road
entrance to the school on both sides of the
gate and disabled toilets within the school.
As well as offering carefully differentiated
work to children with Special Educational
Needs within the classroom, teaching staff
take small groups of children with
particular learning difficulties for specific
tuition at certain times during the week.
It is our aim that every child, regardless of
ability, achieves his/her maximum
potential. These pupils benefit from
focussed sessions with their class teacher
and teaching assistant and also have
access to specialised resources within the
classroom.
In a relatively small school such as ours,
there is close communication between all
members of staff, the Special Educational
Needs Co-ordinator and the Head Teacher.
Provision is made for all pupils, regardless
of disability, to have access to all areas of
the school and to all areas of the
curriculum. Pupils with disabilities are
encouraged to take a full and active role in
the life of the school.
Somewhere they not just
succeed, but thrive
Breakfast & After School
Communications
Our popular Breakfast and After School
clubs run each day. Breakfast Club runs
from 07:45am until the start of the school
day and After School Club has a choice of
two pick up times - 4:30pm or 5:45pm.
A strong home/school partnership is
something we greatly value and we are keen
to maintain close lines of communication.
Food is provided during each session breakfast in the morning, a snack before
4:30 and then tea on a menu rotation basis
for children staying until 5:45pm.
A charge is made for the clubs to cover the
costs of food and staffing. Currently these
are £3 for breakfast, £7 for 4:30pm
pickups and £11 for those with us until
5:45pm.
Parents can generally have a quick word
with teachers or the Headteacher at the
beginning or end of most days and they can
always book in advance a longer
appointment if needed.
Parents’ evenings are held every term and a
detailed written report is issued in the
Summer Term each year.
Parents and guardians also receive a copy
of our monthly school newsletter which
gives a flavour of what’s been happening
within the school, along with
annoucements and information.
"Behaviour is exemplary. Pupils are
very keen to learn and enthusiastic
about their work. They feel
extremely safe and enjoy taking on
extra responsibilities."
- Ofsted, 2015
Admissions
Children may start school at the beginning
of the school year in which they will be five,
which begins on September 1st.
All children who intend to start school in
September will be invited to attend school
for an afternoon per week in the half term
before they officially start, to give them
chance to settle in.
We do have an admissions policy which
outlines the way in which places at the
school will be allocated. Please contact the
school if you would like to receive a copy.
Home Learning
Learning at home helps children to develop
important skills, in particular those of
independent learning. Home learning is set
by the class teacher and carries on learning
from the classroom, or prepares children
for the next steps of learning within their
class.
Home learning may involve spelling, tables,
simple projects and occasional completion
of class work. We also run very popular half
termly homework themes which result in a
great deal of parent/child communication
and joint work.
We encourage parents and children of all
ages to read together and to record these
activities as part of a reading record log.
If you choose Staunton & Corse for your
child’s education we will send a Welcome
Pack to you in advance of their start here,
which includes some advice and guidance
on ways you can help your child to learn at
home as part of your everyday activities, as
well as tips for helping them develop and
practice their core skills such as reading
and writing.
Within the Welcome Pack we also provide
guidance which will enable you to help your
child prepare for starting school with us, as
well as some useful information about the
Academy.
In a safe, happy and
nurturing environment
"She's settled
so quickly- we've
been so
pleased"
- Parent
Primary Quest
School Meals
Staunton & Corse is a proud member of
Primary Quest alongside Redmarley and
Highnam Primary Academies to deliver
sustainable, outstanding educational
learning opportunities for all within the
three academy communities.
A healthy diet and good nutrition is
essential to learning so we offer hot school
dinners to children each day. These are
priced currently at £2.30 per day. We
send menu sheets home on a 4 week cycle
from which children select their meals in
advance. Children whose parents receive
income support are eligible to receive free
school meals.
Recently, we enabled the pupils from the
three academies to visit the Science
Museum in London, Eastnor Castle and held
a PE day at Hartpury College. Not only does
this give the children some unforgettable
experiences but it also allows them to mix
with children from the other academies,
increasing their confidence and social skills.
Children may bring a packed lunch if they
prefer. Everyone eats their dinner, hot or
cold, in the school hall.
All Infants receive a free piece of fruit or
vegetable through the Nutritional Fruit
and Vegetable Scheme. Juniors may obtain
fruit at cost price, which is brought daily
into school by a local fruit and vegetable
supplier. Milk is available through the Cool
Milk scheme during morning break.
"The pupils' social, moral,
spiritual, and cultural
development is promoted
exceptionally well through
the school's promotion of
values such as respect and
kindness."
- Ofsted, 2015
Staunton & Corse C of E Academy
Gloucester Road,
Corse, Staunton,
Gloucester, GL19 3RA
01452 840240
www.stauntoncorse.gloucs.sch.uk
[email protected]
Headteacher: Mrs Jennie Dwight