All Saints Datchworth Prospectus Draft Jun 2015

All Saints C of E (VA) Primary School
Datchworth
Developing a love of learning
“Teaching is good because teachers know their pupils well and ask
questions which not only check understanding, but help develop
ideas and learning.”
Ofsted 2014
School Prospectus

A welcome from our Headteacher
“Pupils get a good start to school life … and continue
to make good progress in reading, writing and
mathematics throughout the school.”
Ofsted 2014
Our school
A welcome from our Headteacher
Our children and our classes
Our curriculum and beyond
Our achievements
Joining our school
Our Mission Statement
Contact details
We are a friendly, welcoming one form entry school with
seven classes. All Saints is a Church of England Voluntary
Aided School and is situated in Datchworth village, near
Knebworth, in East Hertfordshire.
Academic standards are high at our school, and we are
passionate about children’s learning. We aim to provide a
stimulating and caring Christian environment in which children
can gain in experience and understanding, and develop to the
full their own talents and abilities within the tenets of the
Christian faith. Many opportunities are available including
instrumental tuition, French and a wide range of sporting
activities, including inter-school sports matches.
Our pupils are polite, well behaved and have excellent
attitudes to learning. Our caring staff team work closely
together to create a safe and stimulating learning environment
which makes learning fun for all. Our parents are fully involved
in and proud of our school which forms an integral part of our
caring and welcoming village community.
Easily accessible from Knebworth, Stevenage, Welwyn
Garden City and Watton-at-Stone, we serve the parish of
Datchworth and the surrounding areas, offering something
special to families who value a village school experience, and
the benefits that come with knowing every child and their
individual abilities.
So come and visit us, and see why we are so proud of our
school.
Mr Stuart Whiteland
Headteacher
www.datchworth.herts.sch.uk

Our classes
At All Saints, our classes are
organised by year group with one
class per admission year. Class
sizes range throughout the school,
depending on the particular intake
but, on average, there are 25
pupils per class.
Our team of experienced teachers
and teaching assistants work
together to offer support and
challenge in equal measures. All
classes benefit from a varying
amount of additional adult support
to make sure children have
opportunities to work and learn in a
range of whole class, group and
one to one situations.
What our children think:
“I think All Saints Primary School is
a great school because you learn
lots of things and it’s fun.”
Harry, Year 3
“I like this school because there
are lots of clubs and sport here is
excellent.”
Ella, Year 5
“I don’t like the end of the day because
I have to stop learning.”
Sarah, Year 6
Our children
At All Saints, every child is important. We are a village school
and know each one of our children extremely well. Our class
sizes mean we can identify and meet the needs of our
children in a more tailored way and can ensure all children are
supported and challenged accordingly.
It is very important to us that every child is valued and that
their individual qualities are recognised and celebrated. We
work hard to build trusting relationships with all children and
their families to ensure their engagement and enjoyment in
every aspect of school life.
Children may experience a range of needs at different stages
during their time at school. We have learning intervention
strategies and an excellent adult:pupil ratio that help all
children to feel supported and stretched, and which enable
them to reach their full potential.
We promote a Christian, caring ethos in our school in which
all children value and support each other. They work together
as a learning community, recognising the strengths of one
another and knowing that each individual is special in their
own way.
“Pupils behave well in lessons and around school.
Older pupils act as good role models for younger
ones, they get on well and look out for each other.”
Ofsted 2014
www.datchworth.herts.sch.uk

Extended provision
We offer extended care both
before and after the regular school
day.
Early Bird Club
Early Bird Club is our ‘before
school’ provision which can be
accessed from 7:45 to 8:45am
each weekday morning.
Comet Club
Comet Club is our externally run
after-school club which offers
provision from 3:00 to 6:00pm
most weekday evenings.
Beyond the curriculum
We offer a diverse range of extracurricular
activities run by school
staff, sports staff or parent
volunteers: French club, KS1 and
KS2 dance clubs, choir, maths
challenge club, book club,
trampolining, adventure club,
football, netball, fencing and tennis
take place before or after school or
at lunch times. There are a
selection of free and chargeable
clubs available for most ages.
We also pride ourselves on the
amount of musical opportunities on
offer in school. As well as a music
specialist teacher, we can offer
tuition in cello, violin, piano, brass,
singing and the drums!
Our Curriculum
We aim to meet the needs of the individual by providing a
wide range of educational experiences. Our teaching methods
encourage a positive approach to learning through excitement
and challenge. We ensure children have the necessary
knowledge, concepts, skills and attitudes to equip them for the
future, whatever that may be.
Our curriculum aims to develop self-esteem, confidence and
resilience, and to instil in our pupils the ability to make the
best of themselves as they take their place in society.
We achieve this by delivering broad and balanced learning
based around thematic topics and consistent with the
requirements of the National Curriculum (September 2014).
Our curriculum promotes an exciting, relevant and innovative
approach to learning. It makes learning motivational and
successful for all involved. Topics taught allow for regular
cross-curricular learning opportunities and align with the
Programmes of Study outlined in the National Curriculum.
This enables children to make links between subjects in their
learning more easily and helps their understanding across the
curriculum. They develop a thirst for learning that comes from
being able to explore topics more deeply.
“Teachers use their particular areas of expertise such
as music and French, to good effect across the
school. They also develop literacy and numeracy
skills well in different subjects.”
Ofsted 2014
www.datchworth.herts.sch.uk

Parents and carers
“A warm, safe
environment in which
learning is made fun.”
Parent Survey 2015
You are important to us and we
have a strong commitment to
developing links between home
and school. Your involvement is
welcomed, highly valued and
integral to the progress of your
child.
Our community
We see ourselves as an important
part of our local community and
enjoy close links with our
neighbouring church, All Saints.
We actively seek to work with our
community and welcome
opportunities to develop links
further.
Our governing body
The governing body works to
provide strategic thinking, planning
and effective monitoring in a
challenging, friendly way. We want
to ensure our school is well run,
effective and happy. Your views
are always welcome.
Our achievements
“Pupils continue to make good progress in Key Stage 2,
particularly in reading and writing. In 2013, standards in
reading and English punctuation, spelling and grammar
at the end of the Key Stage were well above average,
while standards in writing and mathematics were above
average. Most pupils currently in Year 6 are working
above the level expected for their age in all subjects.”
Ofsted 2014
Academic standards are high at our school and we pride ourselves
on the effective partnership between pupil, parents and school, and
the impact this makes on pupils’ achievement.
Key Stage 2 Test Results 2014:
SATs
Results
2014
School
Reading
Nat.
Ave.
2014
Grammar,
Punctuation
& Spelling
School
School
Writing
Nat.
Ave.
2014
Mathematics
School
Nat.
Ave.
2014
Reading,
Writing &
Maths
School
Level 4+ 95.5% 88% 91% 91% 85% 95.5% 85% 91%
Level 5+ 73% 49% 77% 36% 33% 59% 42% 32%
Level 6 0% 9% 9% 18% 0%
2 levels
progress
86% 91% 95.5% 93% 95.5% 89% 86%
The very large majority of pupils at All Saints leave ‘secondary
ready’. 91% of children achieved the expected level in Reading,
Writing and Mathematics. Approximately three quarters of the Year
6 cohort achieved above age-related expectations (Level 5+) in
Reading and Grammar, nearly 60% in Mathematics and over a third
in Writing.
www.datchworth.herts.sch.uk

My first day
“I liked meeting my new
teacher and making new
friends.”
Ben, Reception
“My child is very happy at
Datchworth and I am pleased
with her progress. ”
Parent Survey 2015
Starting in Reception
We have an effective transition
programme during the summer
term to help prepare our new
Reception children ahead of
September.
Parents/carers attend an
information evening at school and
receive admission packs.
Visits to pre-school settings and
home visits are available.
To aid transition, children attend
the morning session only in the
first week of the school year in
September, until the end of
lunchtime in the second week and
then commence full-time school
days in the third week of term.
This has worked extremely well in
previous years, but if you have
any concerns specific to your
child, please do come and speak
to staff.
Joining our school
Applying for a place at All Saints
Choosing a school for your child can be a really tricky and uncertain
time as, understandably, you want to make the right decision both
for your child and in choosing a school that resembles your own
personal views, values and aspirations in education.
We are delighted that you are considering sending your child to All
Saints, Datchworth and we are very confident of providing the best
possible education for your child.
As a voluntary aided school, the school’s governing body is
responsible for admissions. The school’s admission arrangements
are detailed in our Admissions Policy, explaining how we will
consider applications for every age group, and including the
process parents need to follow if they want to apply for their child to
attend this school.
Reception Admissions (for the start of the academic year):
An online application must be made on Hertfordshire County
Council’s website (www.hertsdirect.org.uk) as well as completing
and submitting the school’s own Supplementary Information Form
(SIF) directly to the school. Children will start in Reception in the
September following their fourth birthday. All Saints operates a
single Reception intake policy.
In-year Admissions:
Due to changes in your circumstances, you may need to change
the school your child attends. As a voluntary aided school that is not
part of In Year co-ordination, all in-year admissions are handled by
the school, and consequently all applications should be sent directly
to the school. Please call the school first to see if we actually have
any spaces available and, if places are available, arrange to visit
the school. A completed version of Hertfordshire’s in-year
application form should be submitted directly to the school, along
with the school’s own Supplementary Information Form.
If you are unsure at all, please call the school office for help
and advice or to arrange an opportunity to visit the school.
www.datchworth.herts.sch.uk

Our school
creed
This is our school.
Happiness and friendship will stay
here forever.
Let the rooms be full of comfort,
happiness and satisfaction.
Let them be full of caring and lighthearted
people and have a relaxed
atmosphere.
Everyone will stay friends and be
happy in this building.
Be kind and friendly to one another.
Our mission statement
Creative Learning in a happy and caring Christian
Community
In our school we aim to:
Love everyone, whoever they are.
Be happy with yourself and love your
life.
And let us love God who watches
over us and cares for us.
Developed by the pupils at All Saints,
Datchworth
Provide a stimulating and caring Christian environment in
which children can gain in experience and understanding,
and develop to the full their own talents and abilities within
the tenets of the Christian faith.
In this environment, they are encouraged to acquire both
self-respect and respect for other members of the community,
and to care for their local environment.
Ensure that the children have a firm grasp of basic skills,
and encourage the acquisition of these through interesting
and stimulating work.
Foster the development of an enquiring attitude towards
work and to encourage the creative and imaginative ability
of the child.
Achieve a harmonious school atmosphere in which the
child will identify strongly with the school and its objectives,
including the links with All Saints Church.
www.datchworth.herts.sch.uk

Become part of a friendly and
supportive learning community
Come and find out why All Saints, Datchworth is
such a wonderful learning environment for children.
Visits to our school are welcome. Please contact
the school office to arrange a visit and see our
school in action.
How to find us
From Knebworth:
From London Road, turn onto Swangley’s Lane and follow
all the way to the T-junction. Turn right on to Baines Lane
and keep left until you come to a crossroads. Turn left onto
Hollybush Lane and follow this road up to the main school
entrance.
From Stevenage:
Follow the A602 south towards Hertford. Turn right onto
Bragbury Lane at Bragbury End. Follow this road all the
way to Bury Lane and turn right onto Hollybush Lane.
From Welwyn Garden City:
At Woolmer Green, turn off London Road onto Mardleybury
Road. Drive through Datchworth Green and turn left onto
Brookbridge Lane. Follow this round and turn left onto Bury
Lane. Pass All Saints Church and turn left onto Hollybush
Lane.
From Watton-at-Stone:
Take the Watton Road past the train station and turn left
onto Hawkins Hall Lane. Follow this road and continue on
Bury Lane until you pass All Saints Church. Turn left onto
Hollybush Lane and the school is on your left.
All Saints C of E (VA) Primary School
Hollybush Lane
Datchworth
Knebworth
Hertfordshire
SG3 6RE
tel: 01438 812381
e-mail: admin@datchworth.herts.sch.uk
website: www.datchworth.herts.sch.uk