School Development Plan September - December 2020
A To consistently provide the right environment, support, and challenge to enable all children to fulfil their potential and be their best.
Most children have been learning at home since March. The only year group that has had some consistent teaching in school is Year 1 (previous Reception). The focus from September will be on a smooth transition back into school for all children, recognising some children may have faced challenging situations during the school closure and appropriate support will need to be provided. Some children, particularly those with additional needs or eligible for pupil premium, may need additional support when returning to school. There is a need for clear routine, learning expectations and behaviour expectations for all children. We recognise there may be situations where a particular year group has to self-isolate, or the whole school may be closed due to local lockdown and we will therefore have plans in place for provision of home learning in such a situation. Homework will be adapted to support any need for home learning through the use of Google Classrooms. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, communication with parents will be different to normal and we will adapt how we maintain good parental engagement. We are aware some families may feel unsettled about children coming back to school and we will support these families as appropriate to support good attendance. There has been an increase in children joining mid-year during school closure and these children will need additional support joining school.
B To prioritise excellence, high expectations and breadth in our teaching and learning so that all lessons aspire to deliver outstanding learning.
The focus from September will be to ensure any objectives not covered in the previous year due to school closure are taught, alongside objectives for the current year. For reading, writing and maths there will be a focus on learning basic skills. Teachers will use increased informal assessments during teaching to support planning for appropriate learning activities to ensure good progression in skills and knowledge for all children. Children have had different learning experiences at home during the school closure and learning experiences will focus on accelerated progress for those children that need it. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, less marking of work will take place and there will therefore be an increased focus on self and peer-assessment, and children responding to verbal feedback. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be changes in the way the school operates, particularly as children will mainly stay in their own classroom and therefore the provision of additional support will be classed based rather than groups or 1:1 outside of the classroom. The transition for children into the Reception class is different to usual and an adapted timetable of communication with parents and transition sessions will take place. 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.
C To prioritise excellence, high expectations and breadth in our teaching and learning so that all lessons aspire to outstanding outcomes.
The intent for our curriculum remains the same in light of the COVID-19 school closure. However, due to restrictions, some of our implementation will change from September 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 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 be readily available in all classes, but in a more simplified setting rather than a reading area. 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.
D To develop our children to be respectful, well rounded citizens that actively reflect the Christian, spiritual and inclusive values of our school community.
As most children have been learning from home since March, we anticipated some challenges with building up friendships and re-discovering social skills. Therefore, the value throughout Term 1 will be ‘friendship’ with resources used to support this and adults focusing on helping children play appropriately with each other both in the classroom and at break times. Children will be reminded of the school values and what this means for their behaviour, attitudes and friendships. Collective worship will take place in classes and a variety of formats will be used for this to keep the sense of whole school community alive.
E To further develop strong governance and robust leadership throughout the school.
During school closure, the Governing Body has not run as usual, due to the creation of an Emergency Advisory Committee. The Governing Body can now return to normal procedures, with meetings taking place virtually. New governors have joined and therefore need to attend induction for new governors through ODST. There is little change in staffing with just one new support staff joining the team. Some staff have not been in school since March and may need additional support returning to school. 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 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 have taken part in training, developed new teaching methods and leadership skills and faced challenges with creativity. These skills and knowledge can now be 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.
A To consistently provide the right environment, support, and challenge to enable all children to fulfil their potential and be their best.
Most children have been learning at home since March. The only year group that has had some consistent teaching in school is Year 1 (previous Reception). The focus from September will be on a smooth transition back into school for all children, recognising some children may have faced challenging situations during the school closure and appropriate support will need to be provided. Some children, particularly those with additional needs or eligible for pupil premium, may need additional support when returning to school. There is a need for clear routine, learning expectations and behaviour expectations for all children. We recognise there may be situations where a particular year group has to self-isolate, or the whole school may be closed due to local lockdown and we will therefore have plans in place for provision of home learning in such a situation. Homework will be adapted to support any need for home learning through the use of Google Classrooms. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, communication with parents will be different to normal and we will adapt how we maintain good parental engagement. We are aware some families may feel unsettled about children coming back to school and we will support these families as appropriate to support good attendance. There has been an increase in children joining mid-year during school closure and these children will need additional support joining school.
B To prioritise excellence, high expectations and breadth in our teaching and learning so that all lessons aspire to deliver outstanding learning.
The focus from September will be to ensure any objectives not covered in the previous year due to school closure are taught, alongside objectives for the current year. For reading, writing and maths there will be a focus on learning basic skills. Teachers will use increased informal assessments during teaching to support planning for appropriate learning activities to ensure good progression in skills and knowledge for all children. Children have had different learning experiences at home during the school closure and learning experiences will focus on accelerated progress for those children that need it. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, less marking of work will take place and there will therefore be an increased focus on self and peer-assessment, and children responding to verbal feedback. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be changes in the way the school operates, particularly as children will mainly stay in their own classroom and therefore the provision of additional support will be classed based rather than groups or 1:1 outside of the classroom. The transition for children into the Reception class is different to usual and an adapted timetable of communication with parents and transition sessions will take place. 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.
C To prioritise excellence, high expectations and breadth in our teaching and learning so that all lessons aspire to outstanding outcomes.
The intent for our curriculum remains the same in light of the COVID-19 school closure. However, due to restrictions, some of our implementation will change from September 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 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 be readily available in all classes, but in a more simplified setting rather than a reading area. 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.
D To develop our children to be respectful, well rounded citizens that actively reflect the Christian, spiritual and inclusive values of our school community.
As most children have been learning from home since March, we anticipated some challenges with building up friendships and re-discovering social skills. Therefore, the value throughout Term 1 will be ‘friendship’ with resources used to support this and adults focusing on helping children play appropriately with each other both in the classroom and at break times. Children will be reminded of the school values and what this means for their behaviour, attitudes and friendships. Collective worship will take place in classes and a variety of formats will be used for this to keep the sense of whole school community alive.
E To further develop strong governance and robust leadership throughout the school.
During school closure, the Governing Body has not run as usual, due to the creation of an Emergency Advisory Committee. The Governing Body can now return to normal procedures, with meetings taking place virtually. New governors have joined and therefore need to attend induction for new governors through ODST. There is little change in staffing with just one new support staff joining the team. Some staff have not been in school since March and may need additional support returning to school. 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 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 have taken part in training, developed new teaching methods and leadership skills and faced challenges with creativity. These skills and knowledge can now be 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
