Aims:

At Western Church of England School, we aim to build a community based on mutual respect, where each child is valued as an individual and as a learner. We encourage children to fulfil their academic potential, and to develop personally and socially through cultural enrichment and spiritual growth, while nurturing their awareness and understanding of God.

We plan experiences, opportunities and environments to support children’s ability to explore, discover, reflect and express themselves.

We believe a creative curriculum inspires active, adventurous learners and thinkers.

We provide all our children with opportunities to:

·         develop lively, enquiring minds so that they can become willing, effective and independent learners

·         acquire the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding they will need throughout their lives, at work and play, in a changing world

·         develop a reasoned set of personal attitudes, values and beliefs, based on Christian principles

·         develop self-confidence and promote self-esteem

·         develop empathy, tolerance, consideration and respect for others

·         develop self-discipline and the ability to co-operate

·         grow in their perception and understanding of themselves and of the world

·         develop a love of learning

The Strategic Plan

The Strategic Plan is a key management tool for implementing the school’s vision and aims. It brings together the strategic and detailed plans needed to take the school forward.

The new Strategic Plan details the vision and key outcomes that the school wishes to achieve from 2006 to 2009.

The Strategic Plan is divided into 3 main parts:

1. The School Improvement Plan

focuses on raising standards of pupil achievement by developing the learning experiences of all pupils and enhancing the quality of teaching. It details the work of the three Curriculum Thinking Teams and the Improving Standards Team for the next 12 months (2007-2008).

2. The Development and Maintenance Plan

seeks to develop aspects of curriculum provision and the learning environment, and to promote links with the community.

Key Plans:

a)      Continue the refurbishment of the internal fabric of the building, in particular improving children’s toilets

b)       Continue to develop the school grounds whilst reviewing site security and developing a Travel Plan

c)       Strengthen the partnership with parents and enhance links with the local community

3. The Management Plan

focuses on staff and governor development and effective teamwork.

Key Plans:

a)      Continue to develop an effective staffing structure within the school

b)       Build on the team approach to curriculum development

Western Church of England Primary School

Imagine…Create…Achieve…

School Improvement Plan 2007-2008

A Summary Document

School Improvement Plan

2007-2008

Pupil learning and teamwork are at the centre of our work at Western.

The work of the Curriculum Thinking Teams and the Improving Standards Team remain the central focus of the School Improvement Plan.

Action plans for each Curriculum Thinking Team focus on developing teaching which encourages thinking skills and learning to learn skills.

Underlying these skills is the recognition that we need to develop children’s emotional and social well-being so that they can achieve their potential personally and socially as well as academically.

Remit of the Curriculum Teams:

• Curriculum development in a cross-curricular, enquiry based way that engages and motivates children of all abilities 
• Development of creative teaching strategies that encourage active learning
• Identifying opportunities for social, moral, spiritual and cultural development in all areas of school life
• Developing policies to support high quality teaching and continuity and progression in learning
• Sharing professional expertise

Priorities for the Curriculum Thinking Teams for 2007-2008:

Expressive Thinking Team:

1. To develop children’s collaborative and learning to learn skills through speaking and listening
2. To develop children’s writing by making ‘next steps’ clear to pupils, parents and staff

Reflective Thinking Team:

1. To enable pupils to lead healthy lifestyles by embedding the principles of the Healthy Schools Award in practice. This will cover many aspects of school life including lunchtimes and playtimes, after school opportunities, as well as curriculum opportunities during lessons.

Critical Thinking Team:

1. To develop pupils’ evaluation skills and ability to tackle problems and tasks with confidence and success

Remit of the Improving Standards Team:

Maintaining high academic standards by 

• Tracking individual pupil progress 
• Target setting for cohorts 
• Data analysis 
• Identifying barriers to achievement 
• Identifying individual pupil under-achievement
• Sharing good practice

Priorities for the Improving Standards Team:

1. To ensure that all pupils are suitably supported and challenged so that they make good progress
2. To focus on the quality of teaching and learning in writing and maths

Every Child Matters

All our aspirations and goals are set within the context of the 5 outcomes from Every Child Matters:

Be healthy – pupils exercise healthy choices and adopt healthy life styles

Stay safe – school provides a safe learning environment and pupils adopt safe practices

Enjoy and achieve – pupils are enabled to make good progress with their learning and personal development. They enjoy their education and make the most of the opportunities presented.

Make a positive contribution – pupils understand their rights and responsibilities and participate fully in all aspects of school life and the wider community

Achieve economic well-being – pupils develop key skills and personal qualities to enable them to take their place in society

The complete Strategic Plan can be borrowed on request. Please ask in the school office if you would like to borrow a copy or if you have any questions. A copy can be viewed in the Reception foyer. It is also be available on the internet on the school's website:

www.westernprimary.ik.org