Author: Cathy

Harvington CE First & Nursery School

Where every child is an important individual

“...outstanding spiritual, moral, social and cultural development”
Ofsted report 2012

“I can’t imagine my children going to a better school”
Parent comment

“Harvington is a great school!
Parent comments

May I warmly welcome you to Harvington CE First & Nursery school. I am very proud to be Headteacher of this wonderful school and feel privileged to work with all our children, staff, governors and parents alike.
Harvington School is a high-achieving, popular first school with an integrated nursery class. We are located in the village of Harvington, two miles north of Evesham. As a Church of England First School, the desire to support, nurture and consider others is key to everything we do. Visitors to our school talk of the delightful atmosphere, positive attitudes and strong vision we all share. It is a place where our children grow to be academically able, independent, confident and thoughtful individuals and leave us well above the national expectation in reading, writing and mathematics.
We are committed to providing an outstanding, enjoyable education; we value and celebrate each other’s gifts and talents; we offer outstanding care, friendship and support within our school family and also within the community which we are so proud to be a part of. We learn in well-equipped classrooms, all including with the latest technology, and enjoy outdoor learning in our beautiful grounds and further afield during offsite visits.
I hope this prospectus provides you with a useful introduction and hope to welcome you for a visit soon. You will be assured of a very warm welcome into our school family.
Helen Fishbourne Headteacher

“The level of nurture and care is outstanding”
Ofsted report 2012

“Children make excellent progress because they are taught exceptionally well”
Ofsted report 2012

Learning
At Harvington CE First & Nursery School we follow the National Curriculum with each class learning through exciting themes; our wide-ranging curriculum engages all children. Literacy and Numeracy are taught daily. These skills are integrated into all areas of the curriculum, for instance, learning about symmetry while designing Viking shields.
Responsibility
Children are given the responsibility to become leaders in all year groups including key roles in the school council, eco group and community projects.

“Older pupils care a great deal about their younger friends”
Ofsted report 2012

“The way in which the school nurtures individual pupils is highly effective”
Ofsted report 2012

Achievement
At our school we place a strong emphasis on key skills. Our phonics, reading, writing and maths results are all well above average. Pupils are encouraged to challenge themselves in all areas so they leave our school as confident, independent learners ready for the next phase of their education.
We lead very successful small-group sessions that give children extra help to reach their full potential. All children make rapid and sustained progress.

“My daughter loves coming to school”
Parent comment

“Our daughter is happy and well looked after”
Parent comment

Sport
Specialist coaches are employed to deliver many PE lessons and after school clubs. The school also takes part in tournaments and matches ranging from tag rugby and football to table tennis and bell boating. The older children have swimming lessons, and we participate in the local schools’ swimming gala.

“Pupils work and play together with impressive cooperation”
Ofsted report 2012

“Behaviour is outstanding. Pupils feel safe and are very proud of their school”
Ofsted report 2012

Music and Languages
Within our school all children benefit from an enhanced curriculum.
Children are taught French and Spanish by a specialist language teacher and as a result the children reach very high standards in spoken and written languages.
Music is an important part of school life. We offer lessons in a range of instruments including recorder, guitar, woodwind and brass.
Every child is involved in the Christmas production and other whole school events.

“...provides a very good sense of community”
Parent comment

“Outstanding provision in a stimulating environment”
Ofsted report 2010

The School Day
School starts at 8:40am; pupils may arrive at 8:30am when a teacher is on duty. School ends at 3pm.
Lunchtime
Hot lunches, freshly cooked on site, are available every day; children may alternatively bring their own packed lunch. Lunch is eaten in the school hall where the older children help to look after the younger ones at their table.
Nursery children have their own special area of the hall, where they are supported by dedicated staff from the nursery.

“Makes even the youngest children feel part of the whole school”
Parent comment

“...a caring school that treats children as individuals”
Parent comment

Care
As a smaller school, we treat every child as an individual. Teachers and support staff quickly get to know new pupils. Children starting in our nursery and reception classes are introduced gradually to school life; and pupils who join at other times are invited to visit us beforehand to meet their new classmates.
Our “Nurture Mum” plays an important role in supporting children and helping pupils from all backgrounds participate fully in school life. Any child can talk to the Nurture Mum if they have concerns.
Communication
We work closely with families from the very first contact when children start Nursery until they leave at the end of Year 5. Regular parents' evenings offer an opportunity to discuss children’s progress, and parents/carers are welcome to discuss any issues as they arise.

“Indoor and outdoor areas are attractive places, where learning is fun”
Ofsted report 2012

“Children in the Early Years develop very good social skills”
Ofsted report 2012

“My children have had a great start to their education”
Parent comment

Nursery
Our outstanding nursery has its own fully equipped indoor and outdoor areas which have been designed with our youngest children in mind. The attractive indoor environment provides a wide range of play equipment. Children also use the school ICT suite, hall and grounds as a gentle introduction to life in 'big school'. The reception class adjoins the nursery allowing the two groups to work closely together.
The nursery's self-contained secure outdoor area is surrounded on all sides by the school grounds. There are covered areas, grass and trees, with a mound for climbing and logs for balancing. Children have access to a wide variety of resources including sand and water play, trikes, scooters and other equipment.

“...makes children feel welcome and safe”
Parent comment

“Encourages independence and confidence”
Parent comment

Our highly skilled staff plan engaging activities which are carefully matched to children's interests, needs and levels of development. We aim to develop confident, creative, independent young thinkers; children are offered opportunities which foster independence and self-esteem. Staff and pupils work together to develop respectful relationships where everybody has an important role to play.
We provide flexible sessions including mornings, afternoons, lunch and wraparound which in total offers provision from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday during term times.

“Teaching of reading is excellent”
Ofsted report 2012

“The school values every pupil as an individual”
Ofsted report 2012

Outdoor Learning
The school’s excellent facilities include extensive, award-winning outdoor play areas. We have recently developed an extension to the forest school area, and the school holds the prestigious Eco Schools Green Flag.
Growing
Each class has its own vegetable bed which gives children a chance to grow their own produce and appreciate where food comes from.
Alongside the permanent planting of asparagus and strawberries, the children grow and harvest a wide range of vegetables. These are used to support the children’s learning in many ways, including weighing their harvest or measuring the ingredients to make soup.

“Pupils receive highly skilled individual help”
Ofsted report 2012

“...provides a very good sense of community”
Parent comment

Forest School
Throughout the year, every child, from nursery right through to the oldest, takes part in forest school. The sessions are led by trained forest school leaders and take place in the school grounds. Forest school activities include coppice crafts and mini-beast surveys.

“... provides lots of opportunities for children”
Parent comment

“Pupils love coming to school”
Ofsted report 2012

School trips
At Harvington CE First & Nursery School we offer a wide range of trips and outings. Special services in the parish church play an important role in school life. Curriculum-based class trips include visiting a planetarium, a museum to learn about ancient Egypt, a concert at Birmingham Symphony Hall, and forest school activities at Bishops Wood Centre.
A highlight for the older children is a 3-day residential visit to the Malvern Hills Outdoor Centre where they experience the high ropes and zip wires, orienteering and hill walking; all with a focus on team working and building self-confidence and life skills.

“The school is highly successful in removing barriers to learning”
Ofsted report 2012

“Our son is motivated and engaged”
Parent comment

Before and After School
We offer optional before and after-school care from 8am to 6pm for all children who attend our nursery and school. Early Birds breakfast club offers a choice of cereals and breads before school. The Harvington Wrappers after-school care gives children a chance to unwind and play at the end of the school day. Help is available for children who wish to complete homework and a light tea is provided.
Clubs
Each term we offer a variety of extra-curricular activities, which run from 3pm - 4pm, and are fully supervised. These include singing, arts and crafts, learning to play handbells, and a range of sports.

For more information or to arrange a visit, please contact us:

Harvington C.E. First & Nursery School Village Street, Harvington Evesham WR11 8NQ
01386 870412 office@harvington.worcs.sch.uk www.harvingtonfirstschool.org.uk

“...a nurturing caring environment with a family atmosphere”
Parent comment