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A letter from the headteacher!

Hello and welcome to Bankside Primary!

 

We are a school that is committed to providing the best we can for our school community.  We are proud to offer you our Bankside Best Commitment ‘We expect the best for you and we expect the best from you’.  This simple, but effective, message lies at the heart of all that we do in our school.  Our last OFSTED report (Sept 07) recognised the impact that our commitment to ‘Bankside Best’ has on the life of our children and staff.

 

‘This is a good school.  It is led by an inspirational headteacher, who working alongside a talented and ambitious senior leadership team, sets clear direction for the school. They have a very realistic picture of the strengths and areas for the development of the school and a real determination to pursue improvement.  There are high expectations to ensure that pupils enjoy all aspects of school life.  Everyone is encouraged to do their ‘Bankside best!’  Parents are generous in their praise, their very positive comments summed up by the comments: ‘I know I made the right choice sending my son to Bankside School,’ ‘I find all the staff approachable’ ‘The continuous praise the pupils receive gives them lots of encouragement to continue their hard work,’ and ‘I would recommend this school to any parent’.’ OFSTED REPORT page 4.

 

The same report also reflected the quality of teaching and learning in our school.  We are proud to gain some of the highest SATs results in the area and are constantly striving to ensure that we sustain, maintain and exceed these standards.

 

‘Teaching is good overall.  It has a positive impact on children’s learning and ensures their good progress.  Teachers develop pupils’ listening and oracy skills, for example in ‘partner work’ which is helping pupils to read relatively swiftly and clearly. They demonstrate increasing fluency and understanding in their reading in addition to gaining increasing confidence in their use and understanding of English.  Pupils are assisted greatly by good quality questioning from skilful staff, high quality support from able teaching assistants and from lessons being managed well.  In the majority of lessons, pupils are encouraged to think and discuss.  For older pupils, their involvement in assessing their own and that of others’ work helps them to better understand how well they are progressing.  The use of ’success steps’ enables pupils to know what to do next to improve their work.’  OFSTED REPORT page 6.

 

We value the contribution that everybody makes in our school.  I have an ‘open door policy’ and am keen to meet and talk to visitors, members of the school community, prospective parents and anyone else who wants to find out more about our school.  An appointment helps ensure that I am available when you need me! 

I look forward to meeting you!