About Our School

Background
Stoborough CE VA First School is situated on the edge of Wareham in the picturesque rural village of Stoborough.

Stoborough School was founded in 1872 and was later granted controlled status under the 1944 Education Act. This meant that it remained a Church of England foundation. During the academic year 2001-2002 the governors applied to change to Voluntary Aided status to strengthen links with the local church and the Diocese of Salisbury. Both these bodies have a strong interest in the school, demonstrating a continuing educational and pastoral concern.

We are a relatively small school, which we regard as an advantage. The children are quickly known individually in an atmosphere where a caring, happy, family attitude prevails.

Children enjoy the rural location of the School which backs onto open pasture and has wildlife areas, outdoor classrooms, raised garden beds, and an adventure play trail. Other facilities include our swimming pool, School hall and a School kitchen serving hot lunches each day.

Our Ethos

We are privileged to be the first introduction most children have to their formal education. At Stoborough we endeavour to create the right atmosphere for children to work, grow and develop their individual potential, helping them to become competent and confident adults able to live their own lives and contribute to society.

We aim to provide a climate where children learn to co-operate with others, care for their peers and environment and respect the fact that not everyone looks, feels or thinks the same.

As a Voluntary Aided School Christian attitudes form the basis of the whole School ethos, with the church, School and community working together. High standards are set for behaviour where children are encouraged to be;
“Kind, Caring, Loving and Gentle“.

Our Approach

Our Vision
We recognise that to be successful learners, we need to develop children’s emotional intelligence and self-esteem. At Stoborough we encourage the children to develop their personal qualities. We aim to enable the children to become successful learners who:

Believe in themselves
Co-operate
Persevere
Have courage
Question and reflect

We aim to enable children to become creative thinkers who:

Apply
Communicate
Reflect
Reason
Imagine
Infer

Relating our vision into practice: The School Curriculum
We provide opportunities for all pupils to learn and achieve. We believe our attention must be directed not only on what is to be learned but also on how children learn.

We deliver this through:

Applying teaching styles that encourage and develop confidence
Providing activities that build on strengths and interests
Creating situations that promote independence and collaboration
Ensuring that content is relevant and stimulating

We plan a curriculum that enables children to:

Think creatively and critically
Problem solve and make a difference for the better
Become creative, innovative and enterprising

We provide a learning environment that equips children to:

Be responsible and caring
Develop principles for distinguishing between right and wrong
Make informal judgements and independent decisions
Understand their responsibilities and rights

We encourage children to discuss ideas confidently and respond appropriately, creating an atmosphere where children are able to make connections between different areas of their learning and are happy to learn from their mistakes.

Curriculum and Extra Activities
In accordance with Government legislation the children follow the National Curriculum.

Personal, Social & Emotional Development
Communication (Language & Literacy)
Problem Solving, Reasoning & numeracy
Knowledge & Understanding of the World
Physical Development
Creative Development

Core Subjects

English
Maths
Science
ICT
Religious Education

Foundation Subjects

Art
Design Technology
History
Geography
PE
Music
Personal Social & Health Education

We make the most of our outdoor heated swimming pool in the summer term providing an opportunity for children to swim as part of their PE lessons.

Throughout the year, children have the opportunity to visit people and places of particular interest. These visits are arranged as an integral part of the curriculum, and give the children first hand experiences, which are an important part of the learning process.

We provide extra curricular activities that include after school clubs involving gardening, crafts, drama, choir, reading, cookery, recorders, mixed sports, football and tag rugby.

Admission Arrangements
Children start school in the term after their 4th birthday.

Parents who wish to send their children to Stoborough should contact the Head teacher who will be pleased to give a guided tour around the school and explain the admission arrangements.

Children moving into the area during the school year, will be admitted to the school providing that a place is available in their school year.

To view the Dorset Admissions website Click Here…

School Policies
The School has a number of policies which set out the School’s approach to different aspects of School life. All files are in PDF format.

Behaviour Policy
Equality
Attendance Policy
Anti-Bullying Policy
Anti-Bullying Policy for Children
e-safety Policy
Intimate Care Policy
Child Protection Procedures
Child Protection Summary Sheet
Code of Conduct
Complaints Policy
Educational Visits
Gifted and Talented Policy
Governor Visits
Volunteer Helper Policy
Volunteer Guidance Feb 2012
School Trips – Guidance for Parents
Health and Safety Policy
Managing Allegations
Safeguarding
Stoborough CRB Checking Policy
Whistleblowing

Our Staff

Mr Marklew
Head Teacher

Mrs Hallisey
Reception

Mrs Ballard
Year 1

Miss Lewis
Year 2

Mrs Abbott
Year 3

Mrs Andrews
Year 4

Acting Head Teacher
Miss Corbin

Deputy Head Teacher
Mrs Hallisey

Teaching Assistants
Mrs Harris
Mrs Lister
Mrs Joynt
Mrs O’Hara
Mrs Fry
Mrs Lever
Mrs Young

Administration and Finance
Mrs Speer
Miss Saunders

School Cook
Mrs Daniels

Senior Lunchtime Supervisor
Mrs Lauder

Lunchtime Supervisors
Mrs Cuthbert
Mrs Francis
Mrs Griffin
Mrs Smythe

Our Governors
The Governing Body is a volunteer group, responsible for the overall strategic management of the school, setting direction and targets and monitoring progress. We also have responsibility for the standards of education that the School provides and specific responsibilities for aspects of admissions, pupils’ attendance and behaviour, the curriculum, Special Educational Needs provision, premises, staffing, finance, links with parents, complaints and inspection. The Head Teacher is responsible for the day-to-day management of the school.

Stoborough First School is a Church of England School with a “Voluntary Aided” (VA) status. In a VA School the Governing Body has additional responsibilities for the upkeep of the buildings (which are held in trust by the Church); it is the employer of the staff and also sets its own admissions policy. The school is mainly funded by the Children’s Services Authority (Dorset County Council) and partly funded by the Church Foundation. The Church appoints a majority of the School’s Governors

The current Governing Body is:

Clerk to the Governors
Karen Hall

Foundation Governors
Deb Barclay (Chair)
Hayley Newman (Vice Chair)
Andy Bowerman (Ex-Officio)
Stephen Coles
Chris Gates
Tricia Stephens

Parent Governor
Caroline Mitchell

Local Authority Governor
Sophie Lake

Head Teacher – Ex-Officio Governor
Debbie Corbin

Teaching Staff Governor
Jane Andrews

Non Teaching Staff Governor
Anna Daniels

Associate Governor
Jill Johnson – for Stoborough Nursery

For the latest Governors Newsletter Click Here…

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