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AN INTRODUCTION TO OUR SCHOOL
CHILDREN From September 2011 we will have approximately 145 children in five mixed aged classes - three classes of Years 3 and 4 and two classes of Years 5 and 6. Last year, the arrival of our ARRC (Allied Rapid Reaction Corps) families from Germany resulted in the school receiving many children from around the globe - Spanish, Greek, Italian, French, Fijian, Turkish, Nepalese and Canadian. We were delighted to welcome these families into Innsworth and recognised the diversity they would bring to our school. This year there has been a change of ARRC personnel so whilst many of our families returned to their homeland, new families from across the same countries have arrived. |
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Our children come from Innsworth, Churchdown, Longlevens, Sandhurst , Longford and Down Hatherley. However, if we have availability, we can offer places to pupils from further afield. Whilst many children remain at Innsworth Junior for their full four years at the Junior stage, others, because of their Service background, move more frequently. We do not distinguish between backgrounds and treat all pupils equally. Our pupils display a wide range of abilities, behaviour and needs. We are a school which values everyone as an individual and therefore we pride ourselves on the educational provision we offer. |
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STAFFING From September 2011 we will have five classes with two staffed by full-time teachers and three by 'job share' teachers. Currently the Headteacher is teaching a year 5/6 class for two days a week. We also have a teacher who is solely employed as a SENCO to take responsibility for Special Needs. We are very fortunate to have a very experienced teaching staff, who are dedicated to providing the best education that we can offer. The Senior Management Team comprises of the headteacher and a member of the teaching staff, who holds a Teaching and Learning responsibility. Mrs Hamblett, our highly valued school secretary, is supported in the afternoons by Mrs Kemmett, a very efficient admin assistant. We have the equivalent of 2.5 full time teaching assistants to support the children's learning in the classroom. We also have two teaching assistants who work solely with individual children who have Statements of Educational Needs. Two of our support staff are Higher Level teaching assistants, which means that there may be times when they take responsibility for a class. The school premises are looked after by our highly skilled caretaker, Mr Birch. A tour of the school will stand testament to the work he has undertaken during his time with us. He leads a team of two cleaners. Our lunchtime staff comprises of three midday supervisors, one of whom is a gentleman. These three members of staff take control of both the eating arrangements and the organisation out in the playground during the lunch hour. GOVERNORS Our
governors are proactive in supporting the work of the school and take
their responsibility for school development very seriously. They are
involved in formulating and regulating policies as well as monitoring
spending and pupil progress. Our chairman, Mr. Allen Robson, is proactive
about school development.
Welcome to the Friends of Innsworth. We are a group of parents and carers who work to raise funds for the School by organising various events. During the past 12 months we have held cake stalls, a Grand Xmas Raffle, a Summer Fayre, a Table Top Sale and numerous discos. We also help out the school by providing refreshments at occasions like the Music Evening (see photos), the Xmas Carol Concert (see photos) and School Play nights (see Upper and Lower play photos). All the money we raise goes to help the School; we are unpaid volunteers. In the past we have helped to subsidise coach travel for recent school trips [Space Centre (see photos), Bristol Egyptian Museum (see photos), and Gloucester Cathedral]; we have purchased prizes for school competitions; bought beakers for our partner school in Kenya (see photos) and books for our library. Some events would not happen if it were not for the Friends' input, such as the visit by the Life Bus in October (see photos): this event helps the children to learn about healthy lifestyles and choices. We
usually meet once a month to plan events: meetings are held either
after school or in the evenings, depending on members' availability.
We have a small committee (Chair, Secretary and Treasurer) who organise
the meetings and discuss event planning with other members. Not everyone
can attend meetings, so there are some Friends who prefer to show
their support by helping out on the day at fundraising events. We
always welcome new members, whether they want to join the Committee,
attend meetings or help out at fundraising events. If you would like
to join the Friends of Innsworth Junior School, or if you would like
some more information, please contact the School Office on 01452 730377
and a member of the Friends will be in touch. BUILDINGS & GROUNDS Our buildings are light, airy and pleasant. We have eight classrooms, a library, a Computer Suite, Special Needs room and a well-equipped hall. We have two classrooms available for individual or group based teaching.
The east end of our school. We are the proud owners of a designated area known as 'The Growing Beds'. This was originally developed in 2006 as a result of being part of the 'Health4schools' initiative. Having gained 'Healthy School' status, the Growing Beds are now fully integrated into the school curriculum. During the summer months, children from all classes can be seen watering, weeding and tending their year group's plants. Our Ecology area is now established as a major outdoor teaching and learning resource.
A view of the larger end of our playing field. We have a field with either a football pitch or two rounders pitches marked out on it. Our playground is a reasonable size with two netball courts and an area known as the 'Quiet area'. This area provides seating for children who wish to sit and chat with their friends during the break or lunch hour.
Our growing beds with the Village Hall behind. We are very fortunate that we are able to use the Innsworth Community Hall, which was built on our site in 2005. This allows us to access their kitchen facilities as well as the purpose built Games hall. OUR PHILOSOPHY We are known to be a friendly but efficient school. Relationships are based on trust and mutual respect. We are a team, who work well together in order for all children to make the best possible progress, whilst enjoying the environment in which they find themselves. As a school we are very honest and open with people and we value the relationship we have with our parents. We consider that the only way we can do the best for our children is by home and school working together. Everything we do at Innsworth Junior School should support this approach. We take self evaluation very seriously and so we constantly strive to improve what we do. This will often take the form of sending out questionnaires to pupils and parents as we are not afraid to challenge ourselves. The staff are extremely conscientious and go the 'extra mile' when needed. The headteacher and governors greatly appreciate the commitment of such a dedicated staff. We believe in good discipline and a firm, friendly approach to children is encouraged. Our school motto 'Respect' is fundamental to life at Innsworth Junior School. Children are expected to be polite and self-disciplined. Any member of staff is expected to correct any child displaying untoward behaviour. Our teaching approach is a varied one, depending on the needs of the children. Individual teaching is undertaken when necessary. Children may be grouped by ability for specific tasks otherwise mixed ability grouping takes place. English is taught by the child's classteacher as we fully believe that this better provides for the development of Literacy skills across the curriculum. Numeracy is taught in ability sets as we believe this is the most effective way to support mathematical learning. We place great emphasis on the teaching of a foreign language throughout the school. French is currently being taught across the four year groups. The headteacher will often take a group of Year 6 higher attainers in Mathematics in order to take them beyond the Key Stage 2 programme and into the Key Stage 3 programme. Parental help in school is encouraged as we recognise that our parents have skills that we can use to the benefit of our pupils. This support is developed under the teacher's supervision and direction. In line with safeguarding procedures, all helpers have to undergo a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check. Extra curricular provision is a key aspect of our school and we are very fortunate that staff offer a huge variety of activities for the children to choose from. We receive very positive feedback from our parents about the clubs we run. EXTENDED SCHOOLS Noah's Ark, a local provider, runs a breakfast club and an after school club for children who need this provision. Adult supervisors are on hand to escort the children to their base at the Infant School. INNSWORTH SCHOOLS' PARTNERSHIP The
majority of children, who join our school in Year 3 come from Innsworth
Infant School (formally called Larkfield Infants School). This is
our feeder school and is about a ten minute walk from us. Both schools
work together to ensure that a smooth transition between Key Stage
1 and 2 takes place. Innsworth
Infant's website is: www.innsworthinfants.ik.org/home.ikml
www.churchdown.gloucs.sch.uk
As Gloucestershire still has grammar schools, Year 6 pupils are able to take the tests which deem whether they have the necessary ability to enter these schools. Most years we have pupils who take up places at the Gloucester Grammar schools and the prestigious Pate's School in Cheltenham.
An overhead view of our school. (Photograph supplied by Google Maps.)
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Web site designs and images copyright © 2011 IJS |
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