Welcome from the Chair of Governors

On behalf of the Governing Body I would like to welcome you to Gisburn Road Community Primary School. My name is Rachel Waddington and I have been a Governor here at the School since 2014, becoming the Chair of Governors in 2018. I have had a long association with the school, as a parent, with my two children having attended the school, and having been a pupil myself. I am very proud to continue to be a part of the Gisburn Road community.

The Governing body is made up of a team of volunteers. We have volunteers representing parents, staff, local authority and community. We work together as a group in a strategic role to oversee the direction and leadership of the School for which the Governing body is legally accountable. The Headteacher and the Senior Leadership team manage the school on a day-to-day basis and the governors meet regularly to look at specific projects, developments and to monitor the work of the school.

Through employing well-planned lessons and by engaging in self-evaluation strategies, the teachers and support staff ensure that every child has access to a rich curriculum and are committed to every child’s success. We are firmly committed to our vision statement, enabling pupils to achieve and thrive and helping them to leave our school equipped with skills to be life-long learners, confidence to have a go and values that engender respect in others.

As a school, we are continually looking to develop areas of excellence and good practice. Recent examples of our successes include obtaining the Step into Quality award for our early years provision and School Games Gold Mark for our sports provision. We are currently working towards the Food for Life award and the PQSL science award. In our most recent OFSTED inspection we were found to be a good school.

Running with a tight, yet well managed budget, we ensure that we continually update the school premises and equipment used. We were thrilled to be able to move the preschool provision onto the main school site, enabling us to develop stronger links across the early years foundation stage. Our main reception area has been re-designed, providing a safe and welcoming environment for children, parents and visitors to the school.

We explore the outdoors as much as we can using our external play area for outdoor learning and growing spaces for our early year’s foundation classes. Playtime at our school is well managed and fun – children can choose from a number of activities and the emphasis is put on inclusion and friendship. We embrace Forest School activities as part of our exciting curriculum and classes make regular use of the school allotment. Both offer children and young people opportunities to achieve, developing confidence and self-esteem, through ‘hands on’ learning experiences, closely linked to different areas of the curriculum.

I hope you feel that our website answers many of your possible questions. The school is always happy and willing to answer any concerns or queries you may have in person or via email. I am also available as Chair of Governors to discuss any matter relating to the school, once you have followed the usual procedures of talking to the Headteacher or Senior Leadership Team.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to you as part of our community and hope you and your child will share some fantastic experiences during your time with us here.

Kind Regards

Rachel Waddington