School Development Plan January 2021
Priority A
Transition back to school has been smooth, all classes are in school and most children have not needed additional support with the return. Attendance is very good at 97%. The clear routine, learning expectations and behaviour expectations have supported children well and this needs to continue. There have been two incidents of whole year group self-isolation and the provision of home learning during this time was effective. This format should therefore continue, with some slight changes based on feedback from parents, children and staff. Google Classrooms is being used for homework, although the completion of homework has fallen compared to last year so the encouragement to complete this needs to be a focus. Parental engagement is strong, although still proving challenging with COVID restrictions in place. Virtual SEN reviews and parents evening were received positively and these should continue to take place in this manner. The termly newsletter for parents by teachers and the weekly newsletter providing an overview of learning taking place in classes have been well received and will continue. We will continue to seek opportunities to engage parents in school life.
Priority B
Teaching will continue to cover the core curriculum, covering previous year group objectives for units of work when required. Teachers will continue to use informal assessments during teaching to support planning for appropriate learning activities to ensure good progression in skills and knowledge for all children. Gaps in knowledge and skills for groups of children have been identified, and will continue to be identified throughout the year through assessments and pupil progress meetings. The Catch-Up Funding is being used for intervention groups led by HP. For terms 3 and 4 the focus of these interventions will be Year 1 phonics, Year 2 phonics for children who did not pass the screen in November, and Year 2 writing. Funding will also be used to purchase texts for whole class guided reading. To ensure children are receiving appropriate feedback about their learning (self, peer and verbal feedback) and know how to improve, a review of marking and feedback will take place with teachers and time for teacher/pupil conferences will take place with a focus on how children know how well they have achieved, and what their next steps are. Pupil Progress Meetings will take place to ensure teachers are supported with identifying the needs of their class and to ensure all children are supported appropriately to make good progress with their learning. To support these meeting discussions, deep dives will continue to take place with a focus on progress in maths, reading and writing.
Priority C
The intent for our curriculum remains the same in light of the COVID-19 school closure. However, due to restrictions, some of our implementation has changed and will inform future implementation. The timetable will continue with core learning in the mornings with the wider curriculum in the afternoon, continuing to ensure core learning is incorporated in non-core subjects. Phonics will continue to be taught in the year group with teacher and TA while reading will be taught using whole class guided reading in Years 2-6 with a carousel or 1:1 reading in Reception and Year 1. Reading books will continue to be readily available in all classes, but in a more simplified setting rather than a reading area. A love of reading will be promoted through the annual storytelling festival. For non-core curriculum, objectives covered will build on previous learning to ensure good progression of skills and knowledge throughout each key stage. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the use of resources will be different to normal and this will affect how some learning takes place, including the use of themed days and virtual outings. Curriculum co-ordinators will work together to ensure there is a balanced curriculum, including engagement with global cultures and good practice will be shared within school, and where possible, with other local schools. There will be a focus on using texts and resources that extend an understanding of a range of cultural and social experiences. An effective set-up of ‘CPD in 3’ will continue so teachers can share good practice and reflect on own practice.
Priority D
Children continue to need additional support with friendships and social skills since returning to school. A lack of clubs, groups and not mixing with other classes is contributing to this. To support this, we will use Catch Up Funding to purchase equipment for playtimes and, where possible, increase number of adults outside. Teachers have increased teaching of PSHE, and will continue to do so to react to, or predict, particular areas of need. Support for mental health and wellbeing will continue, with HP taking part in training for schools to this and cascading resources and advice. The values of each term will continue to focus on harmonious relationships and respect. The format for collective worship has worked well and will continue in a variety of formats to keep the sense of whole school community alive. When restrictions permit, we will begin to use St Lawrence Church for collective worship.
Priority E
The Governing Body has successful returned to normal procedures and new governors have now joined. More regular updates from Governing Body to stakeholders will take place. Due to COVID-19, the strong community of staff will have less opportunity to meet and support each other in person. Therefore, wellbeing support for all staff will continue to be a focus. Curriculum coordinators will continue to develop their leadership skills by monitoring the effectiveness of their subject in school. Staff will continue to be encouraged to seek opportunities to support and mentor each other, and staff in other local schools. During school closure, staff took part in training, developed new teaching methods and leadership skills and faced challenges with creativity. These skills and knowledge are now being identified and built on to further develop staff skills.
School Priorities and Success Measures (2017-2020)
1. To consistently provide the right environment, support, and challenge to enable all children to fulfil their potential and be their best.
2. To develop our children to be respectful, well rounded citizens that actively reflect the Christian, spiritual and inclusive values of our school community.
4. To further develop strong governance and robust leadership throughout the school.
Priority A
Transition back to school has been smooth, all classes are in school and most children have not needed additional support with the return. Attendance is very good at 97%. The clear routine, learning expectations and behaviour expectations have supported children well and this needs to continue. There have been two incidents of whole year group self-isolation and the provision of home learning during this time was effective. This format should therefore continue, with some slight changes based on feedback from parents, children and staff. Google Classrooms is being used for homework, although the completion of homework has fallen compared to last year so the encouragement to complete this needs to be a focus. Parental engagement is strong, although still proving challenging with COVID restrictions in place. Virtual SEN reviews and parents evening were received positively and these should continue to take place in this manner. The termly newsletter for parents by teachers and the weekly newsletter providing an overview of learning taking place in classes have been well received and will continue. We will continue to seek opportunities to engage parents in school life.
Priority B
Teaching will continue to cover the core curriculum, covering previous year group objectives for units of work when required. Teachers will continue to use informal assessments during teaching to support planning for appropriate learning activities to ensure good progression in skills and knowledge for all children. Gaps in knowledge and skills for groups of children have been identified, and will continue to be identified throughout the year through assessments and pupil progress meetings. The Catch-Up Funding is being used for intervention groups led by HP. For terms 3 and 4 the focus of these interventions will be Year 1 phonics, Year 2 phonics for children who did not pass the screen in November, and Year 2 writing. Funding will also be used to purchase texts for whole class guided reading. To ensure children are receiving appropriate feedback about their learning (self, peer and verbal feedback) and know how to improve, a review of marking and feedback will take place with teachers and time for teacher/pupil conferences will take place with a focus on how children know how well they have achieved, and what their next steps are. Pupil Progress Meetings will take place to ensure teachers are supported with identifying the needs of their class and to ensure all children are supported appropriately to make good progress with their learning. To support these meeting discussions, deep dives will continue to take place with a focus on progress in maths, reading and writing.
Priority C
The intent for our curriculum remains the same in light of the COVID-19 school closure. However, due to restrictions, some of our implementation has changed and will inform future implementation. The timetable will continue with core learning in the mornings with the wider curriculum in the afternoon, continuing to ensure core learning is incorporated in non-core subjects. Phonics will continue to be taught in the year group with teacher and TA while reading will be taught using whole class guided reading in Years 2-6 with a carousel or 1:1 reading in Reception and Year 1. Reading books will continue to be readily available in all classes, but in a more simplified setting rather than a reading area. A love of reading will be promoted through the annual storytelling festival. For non-core curriculum, objectives covered will build on previous learning to ensure good progression of skills and knowledge throughout each key stage. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the use of resources will be different to normal and this will affect how some learning takes place, including the use of themed days and virtual outings. Curriculum co-ordinators will work together to ensure there is a balanced curriculum, including engagement with global cultures and good practice will be shared within school, and where possible, with other local schools. There will be a focus on using texts and resources that extend an understanding of a range of cultural and social experiences. An effective set-up of ‘CPD in 3’ will continue so teachers can share good practice and reflect on own practice.
Priority D
Children continue to need additional support with friendships and social skills since returning to school. A lack of clubs, groups and not mixing with other classes is contributing to this. To support this, we will use Catch Up Funding to purchase equipment for playtimes and, where possible, increase number of adults outside. Teachers have increased teaching of PSHE, and will continue to do so to react to, or predict, particular areas of need. Support for mental health and wellbeing will continue, with HP taking part in training for schools to this and cascading resources and advice. The values of each term will continue to focus on harmonious relationships and respect. The format for collective worship has worked well and will continue in a variety of formats to keep the sense of whole school community alive. When restrictions permit, we will begin to use St Lawrence Church for collective worship.
Priority E
The Governing Body has successful returned to normal procedures and new governors have now joined. More regular updates from Governing Body to stakeholders will take place. Due to COVID-19, the strong community of staff will have less opportunity to meet and support each other in person. Therefore, wellbeing support for all staff will continue to be a focus. Curriculum coordinators will continue to develop their leadership skills by monitoring the effectiveness of their subject in school. Staff will continue to be encouraged to seek opportunities to support and mentor each other, and staff in other local schools. During school closure, staff took part in training, developed new teaching methods and leadership skills and faced challenges with creativity. These skills and knowledge are now being identified and built on to further develop staff skills.
School Priorities and Success Measures (2017-2020)
1. To consistently provide the right environment, support, and challenge to enable all children to fulfil their potential and be their best.
- Strong academic and non-academic performance
- Full roll and a waiting list to join our school
- High attendance and engagement
2. To develop our children to be respectful, well rounded citizens that actively reflect the Christian, spiritual and inclusive values of our school community.
- Recognising and responding to each child as an individual
- Excellent behaviour at all times
- Celebrating our strengths and achievements
- Children recognised within wider community for their conduct and contributions
- School community has opportunity to engage with other cultures globally
- We have built a local reputation for excellence/strength and actively support other schools to improve
- All resources are well deployed in support of educational excellence
- We recognise our professional expertise and actively work to develop and share this, within school and in our wider professional community
4. To further develop strong governance and robust leadership throughout the school.
- We retain staff and are known for the opportunities, development and support we provide
- We have a balanced and appropriate range of skills and experience within the Governing Body
- Staff and Governors are known to the community and are role models for the ethos and values of the school
