Oldbury On Severn CE Primary School

The school is sited in a peaceful, rural setting, near the village church. There are beautiful views over Oldbury, the surrounding countryside and across the River Severn. It was founded by Public Subscriptions and a government grant in 1854 and given Voluntary Controlled status in 1950.

Originally, there was only one large classroom, with “a Gallery”, in which over 100 children were taught by two teachers until school-leaving age. Fund-raising took place in the village in the 1890’s to pay for a separate classroom and cloakroom for “the Infants”.

Soon after the school assumed Voluntary Controlled (V.C.) status, education in Gloucestershire was re-organised. Children went on to secondary school in Thornbury at the age of eleven years. This reduced the number of pupils.

Improvements to the building and grounds soon followed. Hard-surface paths and playground were laid. Electricity was supplied and mains water. (Previously, drinking water had to be collected from the Rectory daily in buckets!). Central heating replaced the wood fired and coal stoves which has caused “smoke and smuts” and “made the children cough” for 100 years!

Nowadays, a minibus replaces the long walk or “open cart ride” from outlying villages and hamlets.

Today, the school has three separate classrooms and cloakrooms. There is a toilet block in the main building also. The kitchen was refurbished in 2003. There are generous resource areas for the Library and The Computer Suite.

The playing/sports fields and hard play area are well equipped, with climbing apparatus, playground markings and games. There is a pond, conservation area, wild garden and a vegetable patch.

21^st Century teaching methods have not precluded the long-standing traditions and ethos of the school. It continues to enjoy close links with the church and to be strongly supported by a caring and generous local community.

Back to top

GENERAL AIMS OF THE SCHOOL

Our intention is to provide a caring, stimulating and welcoming environment within which each child will build his or her self-esteem and self confidence. These personal attributes enable the acquisition of skills, concepts and knowledge that will equip him or her for life.

We aim to develop the basic skills of learning, matching individual needs with programmes of work and relevant activities which meet the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum.

We aim to foster enquiring minds, provide opportunities for the development of creative interests and appreciation of beauty, promote independence, develop conscientious attitudes to work and support emotional, social and moral maturity.

Follow the link at the end of the page to see our specific aims...

Back to top

ORGANISATION OF CLASSES

The school is organised in three classes according to age.

To ensure the best use of staff and resources and specific needs, the teaching groups are kept flexible. The children work sometimes as a class, sometimes as a group and sometimes individually. The staff have in mind at all times the individual development of each child, which in our small school we feel particularly able to foster.

Back to top

THE CURRICULUM

In the early stages, learning in centred on the child’s experiences and interests. We broaden those experiences and interests during the child’s seven years in the Primary School, so that he or she may develop his or her full potential.

A high priority is given to numeracy and literacy. Our curriculum is broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated to stimulate the children’s interest and imagination and provide many opportunities for pupils to learn and apply basic skills.

The curriculum comprises the core subjects of Literacy, Numeracy, Science and ICT and the Foundation subjects of History, Geography, P.E., DT, Music, Art and RE. We also include PSHE, Citizenship and French across the school.

Back to top

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

A wide range of extra curricular activities are available to the children during the lunchtime and after school. The activities on offer will depend on the interests of the teaching staff and the time of year but they generally include sports as football, netball, rounders, athletics and cricket but can also feature clubs such as hand chimes, violins, recorders, gardening, computing, maths games, cards, art and craft, construction and science.

There are also further opportunities for those with an interest in Drama, Art, Music, Dance, Verse Speaking and the Environment.

Back to top

SCHOOL VISITS

Educational visits take place regularly, parents consent is required for all visit out of school, whether they are local or further a field. We ask you to sign a permission slip at the beginning of each year which covers all visits in and around Oldbury and Thornbury. If we plan to take the children further a field or use public transport we ask you to sign a separate permission slip for each outing. Whenever possible, we will endeavour to arrange a residential trip for Year 6 children. Back to top

About Us

THE SCHOOL

GENERAL AIMS OF THE SCHOOL

ORGANISATION OF CLASSES

THE CURRICULUM

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

SCHOOL VISITS

A TYPICAL SCHOOL DAY

THE SCHOOL

GENERAL AIMS OF THE SCHOOL

ORGANISATION OF CLASSES

THE CURRICULUM

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

SCHOOL VISITS

A TYPICAL SCHOOL DAY