Windwhistle Primary School - Weston super Mare North Somerset
Many of you will already know about Windwhistle Primary School but we hope this website provides information that will be of interest and value to all parents. Windwhistle School is proud of its achievements.We have been praised by the Local Education Authority for our year-on-year improvements in results.
About Windwhistle School
HEADTEACHER - Mrs Lyn Hunt DEPUTY HEADTEACHER - Mrs Pat White CHAIR OF GOVERNORS - Mr James Foster Windwhistle School is proud of its achievements. We have been praised by the Local Education Authority for our year-on-year improvements in results. This has been backed up by a positive recent inspection report received from OFSTED, which recognised that pupil achievement levels were good, as were standards of teaching and the leadership and management of the school.
Contact Windwhistle School
Contact Windwhistle School
Latest Windwhistle School Newsletter
Latest Windwhistle School Newsletter
Diary Dates at Windwhistle School
Diary Dates at Windwhistle School
School Clubs at Windwhistle School
THE SCHOOL DAY STARTS EARLY AT WINDWHISTLE AND WE WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE CHILDCARE AS WELL AS EDUCATION
PTA
PAWS is our Parent Teacher Association and all parents are automatically members. You will know their letters when you see them as they are printed on coloured paper. They will be asking for help and informing parents about forthcoming events. Parents always support our Summer Fair and our Christmas Fair in particular.
Parent Information at Windwhistle School
Parent Information at Windwhistle School
What and How We Teach at Windwhistle School
All children have free access to drinking water and we use Brain Gym and Peer Massage to help children improve their focus and concentration. There is a Learning Mentor in school to support children who may have personal problems.
School Governors at Windwhistle School
Chair of Governors: Mr James Foster (LEA) Trudi Barnes Community Governor Frank Simmonds Community Governor Colin Vennall Community Governor Debbie Stone LEA Governor Sue Churchill Parent Governor Scott McKechnie Parent Governor Tracy Shortman Parent Governor Mike Smith Parent Governor Jean Hond Staff Governor Helen Nicholson Staff Governor Lyn Hunt Headteacher Clerk to the Governors Mrs J Martyn The Governing Body consists of : 2 Local Education Authority Representative 4 Parents 2 Teachers 3 Community Governors The Headteacher Complaints The Governing Body has adopted North Somerset’s Complaint’s Policy Parents wishing to make a complaint should arrange an appointment with the Headteacher who will be pleased to discuss their concerns. If they are not satisfied with the outcome of this discussion, they should contact the Chair of the Governing Body.
Useful School Websites
Useful School Websites
Sitemap Windwhistle School
Sitemap Windwhistle School
Special Achievments at Windwhistle School
Special Achievments
Nursery at Windwhistle School
Some of our childrens work
Reception at Windwhistle School
Some of our childrens work
Year 1 at Windwhistle School
Some of our childrens work
Year 2 at Windwhistle School
Some of our childrens work
Year 3 at Windwhistle School
Some of our childrens work
Year 4 at Windwhistle School
Some of our childrens work
Year 5 at Windwhistle School
Some of our childrens work
Year 6 at Windwhistle School
Some of our childrens work
Starlight Room at Windwhistle School
Some of our childrens work
School Events at Windwhistle School
Pictures and information about the schools recent events.
Comments Board at Windwhistle School
Children and parents are welcome to send us their thoughts and feelings about the school, teachers and experience at Windwhistle Primary School. Please click here to send us your comments and experience.If there is anything you feel me could enhance or improve, please let us know.
18-Jan-08
18th January 2008 Newsletter 14 Dear Parents Attendance If your child is absent please phone the School or send in a note on their return to school. If we do not hear from you the absence is recorded in the registers as “Unauthorised”. New School Website We have set up a new Windwhistle School website. The website address is: www.windwhistleschool.co.uk There is much more information than on the old website and it looks smarter too. If you have access to the Internet I hope you will be able to visit the website from time to time during the year. All of the “Comments” have been copied across from the old website and it would be lovely if you could add some new ones telling us what you think about the new website. Parents At Windwhistle School (PAWS) Playground equipment: WE NEED YOUR HELP - We wantto raise some more money towards playground equipment for the children to use. If you have any ideas,suggestions or would like to help: Please come to PAWScoffee morning on Monday 11th Feb, 8.45 in Mrs Honds room.Lots of cakes and biscuits to helpwith inspiring ideas! Everyone welcome. Tantrums, Tempers and Tearaways Having problems with your child or children, then help is at hand! Windwhistle, Oldmixon and Christchurch Schools are providing free sessions starting on Tuesday 22nd January 2008 at the Healthy Living Centre, tohelp youimprove your childs behaviour. Places are limited, to book please contact Phyllis Selbyon 077 1717 5984 or leave a message withthe School office Birthdays I would like to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to these children: Birthdays between 18th and 24th January 2008 Bethany Y6H Jordan Y5KB Conner Y2P Tamsin Y3W Shannon NA Tommy Y2P Joshua NP Shane Y3W Jake Y6M Best Wishes Lyn Hunt Headteacher
11-Jan-08
11th January 2008 Newsletter 13 Dear Parents Happy New Year I hope that everyone enjoyed the Christmas and New Year period. So many people seem to have been poorly over the holiday and the bugs are still about. Please remember that if your child is sick or has diarrhoea we usually ask that they should be kept off school for 24 hours after their last episode. However, the current advice during the wider outbreak of this sort of virus is to keep them home for 2 days after the last episode. Dinner Money Please make sure that the week’s dinner money is paid every MONDAY. If your child only has one or two meals a week this can be paid in advance on the day. We do not want to allow families to accumulate outstanding dinner money and ask that you send your child with sandwiches if you have outstanding dinner money. If you think you may be entitled to Free School Meals please speak to Mrs Galliers in the Office as soon as possible. Mobile Phones We understand that there will be occasions when children need to bring a mobile phone to school, perhaps to act as security when walking home alone. We always ask that children leave their mobile phone in the school office to prevent loss or damage. However, we are not insured for children’s phones and so will be asking parents to complete a disclaimer if their child really does need to bring a phone in. Birthdays I would like to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to these children: Birthdays between 14 December and 17th January Rebecca Y6M Cameron RA Lena Y2P Courtney Y6M Daniel Y1B Megan Y6H Brooklyn Y3W Megan Y5E Oliver Y6H Charlotte Y1B Amy Y5KB Shannon Y6H Paige Y4N Ashley Y6H Arron Y2D Shakira RG Caitlin Y1S Tanishya Y2P Keenan Y4C Jamiilah Y3S Bradley Y4C Shola Y4C Amelia Y2D Jamie Leigh RA Ronnie RA Dominic Y4C Adam Y5KB Nathan Y1S Best Wishes Lyn Hunt Headteacher
07-Dec-07
7th December 2007 Newsletter 12 Dear Parents Sorry - no photographs or videos I am really sorry but I have received advice from North Somerset that the School must not allow pictures or videos to be taken during Performances or Sports Days. This advice is given because some parents have not given consent to images of their children being taken in school and these children could well appear in other people’s photos and videos. I am as disappointed as you are about this but I hope you will understand the reasons. School Uniform Thank you for supporting the new “no trainers” policy. Please can I remind everyone that we expect children to wear the following footwear: flat, black shoes of a safe and suitable type for playtimes and stairs, trainers are no longer be acceptable. Suitable shoes can be purchased for about £8 a pair from Asda, Tesco and other local High Street stores. Children can bring trainers to change into for football at lunchtimes or in after school clubs. Use of the School Entrances Before and after school we ask parents to use the gates at the rear or the side of the school to enter the playgrounds and not to come through the front door. There is a security lock on the front door and the office staff are not always available to let people in. Birthdays I would like to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to these children: Birthdays between 7 December and 13 December Declin Y4N Scott Y3S Annie Y1B Corey NA Ellie Y2D Courtney RA Tia RG Georgia Y6M Joseph RG Ellisha-Mae Y2D Clair Y1B Harrison NA Best Wishes Lyn HuntHeadteacher
30-Nov-07
30th November 2007 Newsletter 11 Dear Parents Christmas Performances The next few weeks are a wonderful time leading up to Christmas. I hope you will be able to come and see at least one of the Christmas Performances. You will have had the dates for these on the termly date list – or you can always collect another one from the Office. The children are so proud of themselves and love performing for you. Bad Weather Arrangements We hope that we will not have any bad weather this winter but just in case we do we need to be prepared. In the event of snow, severe wintry weather, or other emergency, it is always the policy of the School to stay open if at all possible. On the rare occasions when it may be necessary for the School to close, the news will always be communicated at regular intervals by local radio stations: · Radio Bristol · GWR FM · Star FM Please telephone the School if you think we might be closed before you bring or send your child to school. We will make every effort to have someone at school to answer the telephone in such an emergency. Birthdays I would like to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to these children: Birthdays between 30 November and 6 December Lee Y6H Tommie-Lee NP Jacques Y5KB Jamee RA Amy Y4C Mollie Y4C Alexander RG Antonia NP Best wishes Lyn HuntHeadteacher
23-Nov-07
23rd November 2007 Newsletter 10 Dear Parents INSET Day Just a reminder that next Tuesday (27th) is a training day for staff and so the School is closed for pupils. We will re-open for pupils on Wednesday. Vacancy From January we are looking for someone with a calm, approachable manner to supervise the safe movement of permitted vehicles onto and off the School site from 3.00pm – 3.30pm per day, five days a week. Protective clothing will be provided. If you are interested and would like to find out more please speak to Mrs Hunt. Closing day Monday 3rd December. Packed lunches If your child brings a yogurt with their packed lunch please make sure you pack a spoon too. Spoons can be borrowed from the lunch hall but this leaves the children having school dinners short of spoons. Thank you School Profile The School Profile is a new way for schools to report annually to parents. It replaces the Governors Annual Report. All schools use the same simple format, designed to provide information about the schools performance and its broader achievements, both in and beyond the classroom. The School Profile is intended to give parents the information they need to understand the schools performance, strengths and areas for improvement. Each Profile contains the following information: § the school’s successes § details of extra-curricular activities § health and safety information § the schools response to the latest Ofsted report To read the Windwhistle Primary School Profile you can either ask for a copy at the Office or use the Internet and visit http://schoolsfinder.direct.gov.uk/about-school-profile Birthdays I would like to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to these children: Birthdays between 23rd and 29th November Adam Y2P Bradley Y2P Helena Y5E Shannon Y6M Carla Y6H Kimberley Y5E Chloe Y3W Keenen RG Natasha Y3S Leon Y4C Lucy RG Ishmael Y5KB Best wishes Lyn Hunt Headteacher
16-Nov-07
16th November 2007 Newsletter 9 Dear Parents Suggestion Box New parents may not be aware that we have a Suggestion Box in the entrance hall. You are always free to talk to a member of staff about any issues but if you prefer you may use the Suggestion Box. The box is checked regularly and suggestions are discussed and considered carefully. You may choose whether to include your name, if you do I will respond to you personally. Photographs The sample photos and order envelopes were sent home with the children last week and need to be back in school by 9.00am on Wednesday 21st November. I am sorry but we are unable to accept any orders after that date. This will ensure that all of the orders can be delivered to the School before we break up for Christmas. Christmas Dinner You should have received a separate letter about the children’s Christmas Dinner. If your child has not brought one home please ask at the Office for another one. Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) on the Oldmixon I have been asked to give a message to all families who live on the Oldmixon. The project for installing a MUGA has been delayed and many people are frustrated about this. I have been given some letters to local councillors asking them to move this project forward. These letters are for residents to sign and leave at school to be passed on to the Neighbourhood Management Board who will then present them to the Councillors. If you would like one of these letters please ask Mrs Galliers in the Office. Birthdays I would like to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to these children: Birthdays between 16th and 22nd November James RA Bailey Y1B Jessica Y4N Nhi Y4C Bradley Y5E Best wishes Lyn HuntHeadteacher
09-Nov-07
9th November 2007 Newsletter 8 Dear Parents Good News! I am sure you will be thrilled to hear that the progress made by last year’s Year 6 children put Windwhistle in the top three schools in North Somerset and the top 9% of schools nationally. This is amazing and we are very proud. Congratulations must go to the children, their families and all the School staff who support the children during their time at Windwhistle. Well done everyone! Photographs The sample photos and order envelopes were sent home with the children this week and need to be back in school by 9.00am on Wednesday 21st November. I am sorry but we are unable to accept any orders after that date. This will ensure that all of the orders can be delivered to the School before we break up for Christmas. Dinner Money Please pay Dinner Money on Monday mornings each week. It really does help Mrs Galliers if you can make sure this happens. A few parents have outstanding Dinner Money to pay, please make sure this is paid as soon as possible. Thank you. Attendance As you know we are keen to ensure that as many pupils as possible attend school as often as possible. Children who are not in school, whether it is for an authorized holiday or an unauthorized absence are not accessing the teaching and learning we provide. Following the great success of last year’s attendance prizes and badges we will be running this reward programme again this year. Children who have full attendance for an old term (usually about 100 children), will be entered into a draw and the winning child will be presented with a £10 token for Smiths. All children having full attendance for the year will be entered into a simple draw (there are usually only about 20 children who achieve this). One name will be drawn out and the winning child will be presented with a brand new bicycle. Last year’s winner, Jessica, was absolutely thrilled with her bicycle - we arranged for it to be presented by our Attendance Officer and her photo appeared in the newspaper. Birthdays I would like to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to these children: Birthdays between 2nd and 15th November Courtney Y3S Kyle Y1S Russell RG Ellie Y2P Dominik Y3S Danny Y4C Aaron Y3S Aliyah NP David Y2D Troy Y6M Best wishes Lyn Hunt Headteacher
19-Oct-07
19th October 2007 Newsletter 7 Dear Parents School Photographer We are really sorry that the School Photographer had to cancel this week. The usual photographer was taken ill suddenly and the stand-in one was called away as one of his children was admitted to hospital. We have re-arranged the photographer for Monday 5th November and have been promised that all orders will be delivered before we break up for Christmas. Bad Language I am always disappointed when I hear children using bad language in school and I know many parents are as concerned as we are. We are going to have a focus on this across the School and crack down on children who use bad language in school. Please help us by setting a good example on the school site - children are quick to copy everything they hear. School Holidays We break up for the October holiday today and return on Tuesday 30th October. Birthdays I would like to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to these children: Birthdays between 19th October and 1st November Daniel RA Sydni Y1S Georgia Y4N Parys RG Reanna Y5KB Trinity RG Brandon Y1B Shannon Y6M Gemma Y6M Joshua Y6H Lisa Y4C Joshua Y5E Best wishes Lyn HuntHeadteacher
12-Oct-07
12th October 2007 Newsletter 6 Dear Parents School Trips Some parents have come to me very concerned that we have put up the price of trips to cover those families who don’t pay. This is NOT the case. We are now asking for contributions from families to cover the full cost of trips, in the past the costs were subsidised by the School. I fully understand that some families find it hard to find the money for trips but we do need a contribution, even if it is not the full amount. I recognise that many families scrimp and save to pay for trips and feel angry that other families don’t make an effort. Please support the School by making your contribution – the trips are really enjoyable and a valuable learning experience for the children. Miss Doyle’s Class It has been pointed out to me that it gets very congested between Miss Doyle’s classroom and Mrs Pirie’s room at the end of the day. It would help to ease this if Miss Doyle’s parents could wait further round; either outside the Reception Classes or further back into the small piece of playground that is between Miss Doyle’s classroom and the Nursery fence. Book Fair Thank you to everyone who supported the Book Fair. We have earned £123 in commission that we will be able to spend on books for the children. Thank you. Well Done! Congratulations to PAWS who successfully bid for £3,000 from the South West Community Chest for equipment for the new After School Club. We hope to open the Club before Christmas. Birthdays I would like to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to these children: Birthdays between 12th and 18th October Mason RG Jordan Y1B Joseph RG Xena Y3W Courtney-Lee Y3S Robbie Y4N Jasmine Y5E Faye Y1S Tyler RA Best wishes Lyn HuntHeadteacher
04-Oct-07
4th October 2007 Newsletter 5 Dear Parents Harvest Collection – Thank You Thank you for supporting the “Feed the Children” charity by sending a donation for the Harvest Mufti day. We raised a total of £305 which will support vulnerable children and their families in countries across the world including the UK, in situations of poverty, famine and conflict to ensure that children have enough to eat and have clean water to drink. Dogs on the School Site May I remind you that we do not allow dogs on the School site. Recently I have noticed dogs tied up inside and just outside the School gates. This is not ideal as many children are frightened of dogs and have to step into the drive to avoid them. Please don’t bring your dog to school unless someone with you is able to wait outside the gate with them. Year 6 – Secondary School Places Parents of year 6 children need to return their completed application form for a secondary school place by 20th October 2007. If you need any assistance, have any queries or questions about choosing secondary a school, please contact Phyllis Selby, Parent Support Adviser at Windwhistle School or telephone 077 1717 5984. Book Fair We hope that you and your children enjoyed the Book Fair. We have earned £???? commission from the books that were sold. Thank you for supporting this. Birthdays I would like to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to these children: Birthdays between 5th 11th October Ben Y2D Melissa Y2P Ben Y5KB Kelsey Y2D Brooklyn YRA Charlotte YN Jessica Y5E Ben Y5KB Megan Y1S Best wishes Lyn Hunt Headteacher
28-Sep-07
28th September 2007 Newsletter 4 Dear Parents Harvest Festival This year we will be celebrating Harvest Festival on Wednesday 3rd October. We are raising funds for the charity Feed the Children (www.feedthechildren.org.uk) which works with vulnerable children and their families in countries across the world including the UK, in situations of poverty, famine and conflict to ensure that children have enough to eat and have clean water to drink. To raise funds for Feed the Children we are having a MUFTI/non school uniformday on Wednesday 3rd October. Fora £1 donation children can come to school wearing their choice of clothing that includes something that isan Autumn colour(red, yellow, brownor orange). It would be great if the whole school was wearing an Autumn colour on that day. Thank you for your support. School Milk North Somerset Council have told all schools that the price of milk cartons will rise by 1p to 19p on Monday 1st October. School Website If you have access to the internet please remember to take a look at the School website: www.windwhistle.ik.org. This should keep you up-to-date with what is happening and you can see photos of some of the work the children do. If you do visit the website please leave a comment on the “Comments” page. CCTV Cameras Last summer our CCTV cameras were replaced with new powerful colour cameras that records clear images. This has already been very useful in tracking down the people responsible for a break-in, an early morning trespasser and the theft of a scooter. Halloween and Firework Safety Over the next few weeks the Police Community Support Officers will be talking to each year group about how to keep safe over Halloween and Bonfire Night. We are very grateful to them for helping us to put over this important message. Birthdays I would like to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to these children: Birthdays between 28th Sept and 4th October Luke Y3S Ashley Y4N Jake Y5E Kieron Y4C Callum Y1B Jack Y3S Paige Y1S Best wishes Lyn HuntHeadteacher
21-Sep-07
21st September 2007 Newsletter 3 Dear Parents Free School Meals We would like you to check if you are able to claim Free School Meals. The new catering company are providing very tasty meals – the children are really enjoying them. Even if you still want your child to have sandwiches it helps the School’s funding if you show that you can claim for the meals. To be eligible you need to be in receipt of: Ø Income Support Ø Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based) Ø Child Tax Credit, provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and you have an income that does not exceed £14,495 Ø You receive support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 Ø The guarantee element of State Pension Credit YOU NO LONGER HAVE TO GO TO THE TOWN HALL to claim Free School Meals. Just bring proof of one of these benefits to Mrs Galliers in the Office and we can set it up for you straight away. We need to photocopy any letters or forms that you bring in so it would be helpful if you could avoid the start of the day when the Office is extra busy. If you are unsure if you can claim please speak to me or Mrs Galliers and we will be pleased to help you. Suggestion Box New parents may not be aware that we have a Suggestion Box in the entrance hall. You are always free to talk to a member of staff about any issues but if you prefer you may use the Suggestion Box. The box is checked regularly and suggestions are discussed and considered carefully. You may choose whether or not to include your name, if you do I will respond to you personally. Safety in the Car Park Please remember that we do not allow parents to use the car park, this includes dropping children off for Breakfast Club or collecting from after school clubs. The only exceptions to this are drivers with a disabled badge and taxis. This is for the safety of all the children in the school – the school pavement is very narrow and children often spill over onto the driveway. We want to keep the traffic using the drive to a minimum so please help us. Use of the School Entrances Before and after school we ask parents to use the gates at the rear or the side of the school to enter the playgrounds and not to come through the front door. There is a security lock on the front door and the office staff are not always available to let people in. Birthdays I would like to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to these children: Birthdays between 21st and 27th September Katie RG Kelly Y6M Deana RA Michael Y5E Ian Y5KB Best wishes Lyn Hunt Headteacher
14-Sep-07
14th September 2007 Newsletter 2 Dear Parents Safety in the Playground Please can I remind you all that we do not allow children or adults to ride bicycles through the playground before and after school. This is because the playground is so crowded and there are pushchairs and toddlers around. On a similar note, please do not allow your children to play on the yellow safety bars at the entrance to classrooms. A child had a nasty injury last year after falling onto the concrete below last year and we constantly remind the children in assembly. Playground Equipment Before we broke up for the summer holidays, some of the Year 5 children worked on a bid for playground equipment. They did a questionnaire to all the School to see what the children wanted. We are still waiting to see if we have been successful. There were some toys that the children asked for that we hoped people might be willing to donate if their own children had grown out of them, like: · Dressing-up clothes · Small “matchbox” type cars · Small farm animals · Books If you have a clear-out at any time please bring any toys you can spare to the Office or see Mrs Shortman. We have been lucky enough to have an overgrown area at the back of the field cleared during the summer holidays. We would like to develop it as an outdoor teaching area. The materials needed to do the work are freely available, thanks to Andy Thorne (Tree Surgeon) providing wood chips and Dan and Caroline Bartlett providing wooden benches. However, we need a few willing volunteers to do some digging and wheel-barrowing! If you have some spare hours during the school day please see Mrs Shortman or leave a message in the Office. Birthdays I would like to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to these children: Birthdays between 14th and 20th September Erin RG Greg Y1B Emilie Y2P Georgia Y4C Lili-Mae Y1B Chelsea-Louise RA Jack Y4N Thomas Y6M Leah-Rose Y4C Kayleigh Y1S Best wishes Lyn HuntHeadteacher
07-Sep-07
7th September 2007 Newsletter 1 Dear Parents Welcome Back It’s lovely to see the children back in school and looking very smart in their school uniform and black shoes. Can I just remind you that jewellery should not be worn in school. We always worry about the amount of Lost Property we have but it is difficult to return it if it is not clearly named. Thank you A huge thank you to Tracy Shortman who worked with the children last year to produce the amazing Windwhistle sign at the back of the School. This can be seen from the bridge and the train! If you haven’t seen it yet it’s definitely worth a look. School Trips Unfortunately, over the last year, fewer parents than ever are paying their contribution for school trips and the School can no longer afford large subsidies for visits. I do believe that these trips are extremely valuable for the children’s education and enjoyment and urge you to pay the full contribution. If you really cannot pay the full amount, a smaller contribution would be accepted. However, I need to point out that if sufficient contributions are not received the trip will have to be cancelled. Spare Fabric We want to make some dressing-up outfits for the children and need fabric. If you have old curtains, voiles or just largish pieces of fabric that you would be willing to donate we would make very good use of it for the children. Thank you. Birthdays I would like to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to these children: Birthdays between 3rd and 13th September Yasmin Y2P Jason Y6M Francesca Y4N Patricia Y6M Ashley Y6M Michael Y6H Conner Y5E Keira Y4N Thomas Y3S Joel Y5E Best wishes Lyn HuntHeadteacher
Our Aims at Windwhistle School
Windwhistle School is proud of its achievements. We have been praised by the Local Education Authority for our year-on-year improvements in results.
Our Team at Windwhistle School
HEADTEACHER - Mrs Lyn Hunt DEPUTY HEADTEACHER - Mrs Pat White CHAIR OF GOVERNORS - Mr James Foster
School Uniform at Windwhistle School
The School has a uniform which children are expected to wear and which we work hard to promote with parents. By wearing uniform we believe that children come to school expecting to learn and feeling that they belong.
School Day at Windwhistle School
School Day at Windwhistle School
School Organistation at Windwhistle School
Windwhistle is organised into three stages, which match the structure of the National Curriculum. This is so that the ethos and practice in each stage can reflect the needs and development of the children.
English at Windwhistle School
We follow the National Literacy Strategy. Extra time beyond the Literacy Hour is given to the teaching of writing. Children are taught to write for different purposes including writing imaginatively and from personal experience. Handwriting is taught and correct formation of letters is stressed from the earliest days so that children can achieve a legible joined handwriting style.
Maths at Windwhistle School
We follow the National Numeracy Strategy across the school. We believe that the direction of the strategy, teaching children a range of methods for calculation, is one that supports confidence with number.
Science at Windwhistle School
Our Science teaching is planned around the school scheme of work and the National Curriculum. This ensures that all children are taught the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary for science in a structured way.
Information Communication Technology at Windwhistle School
All children are given access to the full National Curriculum. Our computer suite is up to date, giving children the opportunity to be taught about the latest information and communication techniques.
History at Windwhistle School
The children are taught through Themes, learning skills and attitudes as well as knowledge about the past. They are given full access to the National Curriculum which covers significant episodes and characters from the past of this country as well as civilisations which began in other parts of the world.
Georgaphy at Windwhistle School
They are taught through Themes which explore physical and social geography.
Design and Technology at Windwhistle School
The full National Curriculum is taught.
Music at Windwhistle School
We teach the National Curriculum for music. Children are taught to listen to, sing to, compose and perform music. Music enriches our life at school and children are taught that it is FUN!
Art at Windwhistle School
The children are taught to look at, discuss and create art in line with the National Curriculum.
Physical Education at Windwhistle School
We have a purpose built sports halls and floodlit pitch, a playground and sports fields for teaching P.E. and are therefore able to teach a full range of gymnastics and sports. The children are taught swimming in Years 3 and 4 for which we make no charge.
Religious Education at Windwhistle School
At Windwhistle, we follow the North Somerset Agreed Syllabus for R.E. Christianity is central to our R.E. curriculum but we also study other major faiths and religions. Children learn to compare similarities and differences between religions and reflect upon beliefs. Parents can withdraw their children from R.E. Please inform the Headteacher if you wish to do so.
PSHE at Windwhistle School
This helps children to talk about their feelings, feel positive about themselves, take part in decision making and develop relationships. A Sex Education programme is delivered from Y2 upwards.
Nursery at Windwhistle School
The Nursery curriculum is based around developing children intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally. A great emphasis is put on language skills and playing imaginatively to learn. Children are taught about books and stories, learning the skills that lay the foundation for reading and writing. They learn to count and recognise numbers.
Homework at Windwhistle School
Even the youngest children have their reading book to take home so we feel that they are also involved in our homework programme. By year 2, children will be bringing home some task to do connected with English or Mathematics. From Year 3 onwards, the children have English and Maths homework on a weekly basis.
Special Educational Needs at Windwhistle School
Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) - Mrs S Abdy Children with a wide variety of special educational needs attend Windwhistle and take a full part in the life of the school.
Admissions at Windwhistle School
Children can enter Windwhistle Nursery at three years of age. Admission to our Reception classes takes place in the September after the children are four. Although Reception children begin by coming for half days for a few weeks, we aim to have all children in school full time as soon as possible.
Behaviour at Windwhistle School
The good order of the School is maintained through supporting childrens self-esteem and rewarding appropriate behaviour.
School Policies at Windwhistle School
School Policies at Windwhistle School