UTKINTON ARN Anglican Church Parents: LIVE – LOVE – LE School Inspection: “We couldn’t have wished for a happier or more productive start to school life for our little boy.” “Relationships in school and the pupils’ care and concern (Parent of a Reception child) for each other, especially special needs is exceptional.” “The dedication, commitment, energy and love from each “There is a tangible desire by all staff to provide the and every member of the school staff is truly exceptional! best education possible for pupils at Utkinton.” As a result we have a happy, settled and caring child, “The local community and parents recognise that pupils making outstanding progress. What a transformation!” ‘Enabling every child who leave Utkinton St. Paul’s are always confident.” (Parent of a child that joined us in Year 1) (March 2013) “We couldn’t be more pleased with our children’s education to fulfil his/her at Utkinton Primary School. They are like a large extension of our family, nurturing every child as an individual potential in a nurturing Utkinton St. Paul’s CE Primary School, and getting the best our of them in a fun and loving Quarry Bank, Utkinton CW6 0LA environment - a wonderful school!” (Parent of a child in Year 5) Christian Community’ Telephone: 01829 732322 UTKINTON www.utkintonce.cheshire.sch.uk Welcome Teaching Organisation Utkinton St. Paul’s The children are taught in three small CE Primary School classes: Reception; Years 1 & 2; Years 3 is a unique school: & 4 and Years 5 & 6. Reception are also a traditional, small taught separately during the morning village school sessions. Each class has at least one providing a modern, full-time Teaching Assistant which means exciting education. a ratio of staff to children smaller than Our small size helps in many independent schools. us to enjoy a caring, Having mixed-aged classes also means family atmosphere that children can be taught according where every member to where they are developmentally, is nurtured, valued rather than where they should be as an individual and chronologically; this enables children included in all we do. who are gifted and talented and those We nurture the ‘whole child’, enabling with special educational needs to work each pupil to achieve his/her full at a level appropriate to them. potential academically and socially. Working alongside the class teacher, We look forward to welcoming you the children also benefit from a range to our school community to see at of experts in their field including: first hand why Utkinton St. Paul’s specialist PE and Science teachers; is a special place to be. a specialist dyslexia teacher; Modern Foreign Language graduates and Speech Our aims are: and Language Teaching Assistants, all of • to promote the development of all whose input is carefully planned to meets our pupils as confident, well-rounded the needs of individual children. learners: intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, morally, culturally and physically. • to provide a broad and balanced curriculum in a lively, challenging and creative context. • to encourage children to achieve their potential by fostering an enjoyment of learning and celebrating all aspects of success. • to know and nurture our pupils as individuals. • to welcome and encourage the participation of parents, governors and the community in the education of the children and also for the school to contribute to the life of the village and community. • to ensure the effective management and ongoing development of people and resources. Curriculum Extra Curricular Activities We are passionate about outdoor education and children learning through experiences they will remember for the rest of their lives. We have a rolling programme of residentials from Year 1 to Year 6, ranging from a night in Tattenhall studying the locality, to longer residentials in Snowdonia as part of our ‘Mountain of Adventure’ theme and two nights in London experiencing city life. Having our own school minibus also enables us to participate in at least a one-day visit or experience each term, related to their theme-from a visiting circus, a mouth-tingling day at Cadbury’s World, to becoming an evacuee for the day, visiting Stockport air raid shelters. We offer a wide range of different after school clubs each term from Glee Club to Gardening to Sports Clubs. Children are able to opt into clubs on a termly basis. As members of the Sandstone Cluster Partnership (made up of the Tarporley schools) we also compete in regular sporting competitions throughout the year such as tag ruby, handball, hockey and table tennis where we have experienced considerable success. In addition the school also offers a range of musical instrument tuition during the school day. The staff of Utkinton St. Paul’s CE Primary School have developed a personalised ‘Utkinton Curriculum’ which is shared with our partner school, Huxley CE Primary. Our curriculum matches the needs and interests of our children. School Grounds We offer practical, inspiring and The main school building is a converted challenging activities to provide our Victorian Chapel. However, the school children with the skills necessary for has benefited from a number of major an ever-changing world. building projects including a large Infant Classroom with access to an Whilst we ensure that all children enclosed outdoor learning area and have a firm grounding in English a specifically-created Foundation Stage and Maths, work is delivered through area. The school has stunning outdoor themes which are carefully crafted to facilities overlooking the Cheshire plain engage the children and follow their with a large hard surface sports pitch, interests whilst ensuring a broad and adventure playground, school garden balanced curriculum. and a separate school field. Partnership Parents Church Links We believe that parents play a vital role in their children’s As a Church of England School we have strong education and that children achieve their best when links with our local church, St. Helen’s Church, teachers and parents/carers work in partnership for the in Tarporley. We are visited regularly by a local benefit of the children. Parents meet teachers informally vicar and the children participate in a number on a daily basis when they can talk about their children of church services including Harvest, Christmas and, if necessary, request further meetings. Parents are and Easter. Our Year 6 Leavers also attend also invited to a range of special events throughout the a special service organised by the Chester year such as drama productions, church services, sporting Diocese at Chester Cathedral each year to events and Parents’ Evenings. Utkinton St. Paul’s CE celebrate their time in our school. Primary has a highly successful, active PTA who annually raise a significant amount of money for the school through organised events including a summer garden party at Tirley Garth. Before and After School Care Our before school club, Early Starters, runs every morning in the school from 8.00am and is staffed by the teachers. After school a local nursery (Ashton House) will collect children from the school and provides childcare till 6.00pm. Transition Utkinton St. Paul’s CE Primary School has an excellent relationship with a number of local nurseries including the Done Room, Tarporley and Little Budworth Pre-School. Our staff regularly visit to meet the children and staff there and their older children join us for our ‘Stay and Play’ Sessions. Staff visit all children who transfer to us in their nursery and home setting to ensure they have an in depth understanding of each child prior to their starting in Reception. Our main feeder high school is Tarporley High (OFSTED Outstanding, 2014). However, each child’s needs are carefully considered and staff and parents work closely together to create a transition package that supports best the needs of each individual. A number of children successfully gain places at Independent schools. Huxley CE Primary School Utkinton St. Paul’s CE Primary School is a partner school with Huxley CE Primary School (a small, rural school on the other side of Tarporley). As well as sharing a Headteacher, the staff in both schools work closely with each other, planning, assessing and sometimes delivering lessons together as well as some staff transferring between the schools to teach their areas of specialism. Day trips and residentials are also participated in jointly, providing the children with opportunities to build friendships beyond their school group in preparation for high school..