The school provides a very striking and imaginative alternative to other schools. It is quite a small school, almost like a village school and has around 100 pupils on role. The school attracts its pupils from a wide local area and from a healthy mix of social, economic and cultural backgrounds. The school is fully registered with the DFES and received an excellent OFSTED inspection in June 2004. The full report can be seen on the OFSTED website, which is linked from the school’s website. The school and staff have high expectations and using the best of modern and traditional teaching methods, help all children to achieve high standards and to reach their potential. Class sizes are usually no more than 18 and more often around 12 to 14. Experienced, well-qualified teaching staff in the school create a happy, constructive, well-disciplined learning environment.
The school has a broad exciting curriculum, which incorporates the national curriculum. National SATs tests are undertaken and the school has continually been ranked 1st in the Salford area. Foundation Stage is undertaken early in the school and is completed by the middle to end of nursery school (at least 1 year ahead of other schools). Foundation Profiles of children in their Reception (Prep 2) year underline the advantage of this policy, with children scoring well into the “exceptional” region on Foundation Stage scales. The school is very well regarded in senior school circles and is successful in winning places at all the leading independent senior schools including; Withington Girls, MGS, Manchester High School, Bolton School and Bury Grammar as well as the Trafford Grammar Schools. The school can advise you on the choice of senior schools and will undertake preparation of children for all entrance or 11 plus examinations.
The school affords a small, friendly, safe environment, where children relate well to each other and to staff. As children progress, they get to know all the other children in the school and form a close community. Children are always encouraged to support each other and to play together; problems like bullying are rare in the school. Staff will often spot a child’s concern about something before it becomes a problem and children are always encouraged to express any concerns to staff.
The school excels in providing a wide range of educational opportunities for children. We feel particularly strongly about the way in which drama and music can be used to help develop children and we specialise in these subjects. Weekly drama is timetabled and each class, each year, performs two major productions for parents as well as half termly class presentations in school assembly. A range of musical instruments; the piano, guitar, violin and recorder can be learnt in school as well as specialist music tuition in class. A good variety of sports is enjoyed including; football, netball, athletics, swimming and cross-country. There is an excellent range of extra-curricular lunchtime and after school clubs, ranging from gardening to computing. French is also timetabled and there are trips out to the theatre, museums and activity centres, plus much more. Children progressing through the school have every opportunity to grow in confidence as they discover new things that they are good at. To help find time for all these extras, the school works more hours than other schools—about 15 minutes per day and more weeks a year than other local independent schools.
The prospectus sets out the school’s aims and explains how these are achieved. You will see in much more detail what the school does, how such good results are achieved and how you can draw on extra curricular activities to help personalise your child's education. A full range of support services is available including; after school club, early birds and holiday club and these are fully explained. In all, we are confident that parents would not find a happier or more committed and successful school in the area.
The school is effective in enabling its pupils to attain high standards. The pupils personal development is good, their behaviour is very good and they are well cared for.—OFSTED June 2004