Whitchurch CE Infant and Nursery School

1. Whitchurch CE Infant and Nursery School

2. Children at the heart of our community.

3. Whitchurch – ShropshireOUR AIMS • Due to considerable levels of social and economic deprivation we need to: • develop a community culture of learning. (Education not always seen as a positive) • raise achievement. • increase opportunities for children and young people. • Major issue is - Communication, Speech and Language in our community.

4. RURAL ISSUES • ISOLATION; Physical, social and cultural • Fewer opportunities for peer support (G & T pupils) • Limited access to Higher Education • Fewer opportunities for professional C.P.D. • Headteachers with high teaching workload • Application/adaptation of national initiatives (eg learning networks, extended schools, federation, personalised learning. • Changing nature Economic inequalities of families in rural communities • Limited specialist expertise • Limited opportunities for challenge and competition • Limited opportunities to deal with failure • School closure/viability • TRANSITION • Limited opportunities for multi cultural • ECM diversity – Inclusion • Do not qualify for indices of deprivation • Reluctance to leave / insular communities • Apparent indices of rural deprivation • Primaries often small than urban – what impact does size have ? • Mixed age/key stage classes – we plan for mixed aged classes – it has helped us improve standards • Rural natives / Rural immigrants • THERE ARE ISSUES IN EVERY SCHOOL COMMUNITY – URBAN / RURAL / LARGE / SMALL they are all different – as managers it is what we do about it ! • BUT WE CAN’T DO IT ON OUR OWN WE NEED TO ENGAGE OTHERS

5. Issues / barriers to deal with. • High levels of deprivation. • Low level of full time employment • Difficult / impossible access to other networks due to transport. Second most sparse county. • One of worst funded authorities. • Very low level of adults going onto further education.

6. Where do I begin ! Continue ! • Quality standards – assess as a whole school where you are and plan a way forward. It’s in the pack. • Our vision in our school is trying to give every learner the opportunity to reach their full potential. (includes children, parents, staff and community) including G+T

7. Our Aim • Maximise learning opportunities for all the pupils in Whitchurch This includes Gifted and Talented Pupils. ( Due to lack of access to provision) • Promote personal development. • Improve the readiness to learn. • Ensure that the family and community are as supportive of learning as possible.

8. Virtual • Not able to achieve national expectations due to rural issues. • Extended school facilities. • Children’s Centre's

9. Standard 13 • We try and engage the whole community in our learning environment. • We are developing are sharing our curriculum with other partners. • PPA time. – extended activities for children – planning time for staff. • Gives children choices. ICT – D&T – Art – Role Play – Multi-sports Supporting others – French - Music – Cooking – Problem solving – Thinking Skills

10. Standard 1 – The Identification Process • See example on next slide as one way we involve parents in the process. • Form for both school and outside agencies to refer children to be considered to be put on the G&T register.

11. Whitchurch Infant and Nursery School To help us to know more about your child and recognise, support and encourage the activities that they are involved in out of school we would like you to complete the following form. Child’s name ……………………………………………. Class …………. I believe my child has a special talent/s in …………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………….. ( Please explain – could include Sport, Academic – Reading, Writing, Speaking and listening, Maths, Science, D&T, Art, Music, PE) My child takes part in the following activities outside school. Activity Where / Club Swimming ………………………………………. Football ………………………………………. Ball Skills (in school) ………………………………………. Ball Skills (other) ………………………………………. Trampoline ………………………………………. Gymnastics ………………………………………. Drama ………………………………………. Dance (please note type) ………………………………………. Music ………………………………………. Church Group ………………………………………. Wildlife ………………………………………. Art Activities ………………………………………. Brownies / Rainbows ………………………………………. Cubs / Beavers ………………………………………. Family Learning ………………………………………. Others please specify ………………………………………. ………………………………………. Is there anything else you would like us to know about your child please us the other side of this paper. Thank you for your time. Helen Barlow ( Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator) & Greg Smallbone ( Headteacher)

12. Working as part of an extended team • Junior and Secondary School. • Connexions • Job Centre Plus • Speech • Health – Under 1’s and their mums • Youth Service • Leisure Centre • Sports Groups • Homestart • Police • Childminders and Pre-school private providers • 21 agencies now actively belong to the steering group. We are now talking about a learning community for the future. -9 months to ????

13. WHAT WE CAN DO ! • Offer the range of experience that are on offer in areas that have better access and better funded. ( but we try to the best with what we have got – not a lot ! )