Aiming High – Working Hard – Learning Together
A new beginning Welcome Thank you for expressing an interest in Marden Lodge Primary School. Our school is set in lovely grounds and our forward thinking approach and dedicated staff aim to provide the best education for our children, bringing learning to life through our thematic curriculum. When combined with our varied menu of clubs and activities, Marden Lodge Primary School is an exciting prospect for your son or daughter. Since September 2013 we have become an academy within GLF Schools. Through this partnership, we benefit from sharing outstanding resources and practice across a range of schools. It is an exciting development for all of us at Marden Lodge Primary School as it enters a new phase under new leadership.
Our Mission Marden Lodge’s mission is to inspire children to aim high, work hard and learn together.
We welcome you to view Marden Lodge Primary School and see our children learning. Our Year 6 prefects are keen to show you around our school and you will have the opportunity to ask them about their experience of school life. We look forward to meeting you. Stephanie Scutter Executive Headteacher
Fiona Jarman Head of School
1
Expectations We are an inclusive school and treat all our children as individuals whilst being committed to maintaining high expectations. We aim to foster a love of learning that is founded on our values of determination, motivation, self-confidence, respect and understanding of others. As parents you will expect us to care for your children; we achieve this through rigorous academic progress, extracurricular opportunities and nurturing children’s social and emotional development. Our ‘Behaviour for Learning’ strategies and reward systems reflect our excellent pastoral care, whilst celebrating children’s achievements.
2
“ Pupils are polite and friendly. They get on well with each other.” Ofsted 2013
“ The school looks after its pupils well. They feel safe and well cared for.” Ofsted 2013
“ Disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs are supported with a range of individual and group programmes and by teaching assistants in lessons.” Ofsted 2013
3
4
An inspiring curriculum We offer a broad and balanced curriculum aimed at catering for children’s different learning styles and interests. Our core focus is Maths and English and the promotion of a love of reading. Our modern ICT suite enhances learning across the curriculum and ensures all children have regular access to technology to develop the skill so important in modern life. We are an ‘Active Mark’ school and place a strong emphasis on children’s physical development. Children have regular swimming lessons in our pool and receive physical education from our specialist sports teacher. We also offer a range of extra-curricular clubs to enhance the children’s experiences. We continually seek ways to develop creativity and offer a wide range of learning experiences designed to bring the curriculum alive by making links between the individual subjects and providing opportunities to apply new skills through topics. Themes have included castles, Ancient Egyptians, habitats and recycling.
“ All the teachers are kind and helpful. Children are happy but if they are upset they’ll always help you.” Year 6 child
5
Extensive facilities We are fortunate to have a large site giving us space to offer a variety of dedicated facilities including a Kestrel’s Children’s Centre, which serves children from six months onwards offering wraparound care through breakfast and after school clubs for all children of primary age. Our outdoor facilities include a playing field comprising two pitches, adventure playground, covered heated swimming pool, large playground and wildlife area. Reception and Kestrel’s have an exciting have an exciting outdoor learning area with a variety of learning experiences.
6
“ The school is calm and orderly.” Ofsted 2013
Our classrooms are all large in size and we have a suite of 30 networked PCs as well as 30 laptops for use in lessons. Our two learning centres, focusing on Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, provide library and IT facilities. In addition we have a range of rooms dedicated to small group work. Our hall is able to accommodate the whole school and is equipped with a lighting and sound system to complement children’s productions.
“ Pupils are encouraged to read aloud to adults regularly, using their knowledge of phonics.” Ofsted 2013
7
A collaborative approach to learning
“ Pupils are especially positive about the work of the learning mentor, who supports pupils who have problems or concerns.� Ofsted 2013
8
We place emphasis on the vital role that parents play in the education of their children and welcome parental involvement in all aspects of school life. Parents are strongly encouraged to come into school and help in a variety of ways, including reading with the children, supporting swimming lessons and clubs and accompanying classes on educational trips. We have an active PTA which helps to provide funds for extra facilities for the school such as ICT equipment and improvements to the swimming pool.
In addition, the PTA provides a full social calendar for the children and their families. The school employs a full time learning mentor, who works closely with individual children and families to further support learning where needed. Having Kestrels on site ensures that many children benefit from the easy transition from nursery into reception, as the surroundings and adults are familiar to them.
Head of School: Fiona Jarman
GLF
Where Children Grow, Learn and Flourish
Croydon Road, Caterham, Surrey, CR3 6QH T: 01883 343 014 F: 01883 344 357 info@marden-lodge.surrey.sch.uk www.mardenlodge.org www.glfschools.org
Designed and produced by Cleverbox 020 8466 7222 www.cleverbox.co.uk
Executive Headteacher: Stephanie Scutter