Bigland Green Primary School

Bigland Green is a provider of great learning and graded as outstanding by Ofsted. The school’s mission is to educate pupils so that they become successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens.

The school’s Learning Mission articulates how it provides great learning by harnessing children’s curiosity, encouraging perseverance and providing a pathway to success in our fast-changing and inter-dependent world.

At Bigland Green, we instil in our pupils the fundamental values that are needed for being successful as individuals and as a society. We teach our pupils to cope with success and challenges. Pupils are equipped with skills that are essential for the world outside the school and beyond. These are part of the school’s strong ethos and values.

At Bigland Green, we believe that it is essential for every child to have equal access to the curriculum. Therefore, all children, girls and boys will be expected to take part in all aspects of school life. We recognise the advantages of bilingualism and encourage the use and development of languages for promoting competencies in English. The children in Bigland Green are encouraged to develop strategies for challenging and questioning all forms of discrimination based on stereotyping.

All children and adults in Bigland Green have the right to be treated sensitively, supportively and with respect. Children are encouraged to sort out disagreements through discussion and discouraged from actions that lead to conflict. Positive behaviour is praised and celebrated. The school works actively to promote community cohesion the impact of which is not limited to the school or within the immediate school community.

We believe that all children are entitled to the best possible education, and that the education offered at Bigland Green should cater for the needs of all its pupils. We value and respect people from all backgrounds, and celebrate our multi-faith and multi-cultural school community. We expect children and adults to work and cooperate with each other. Racist, sexist or phobic behaviour is unacceptable and will always be challenged. We work together to ensure that the curriculum, resources and ethos reflect this positive attitude and are inclusive.

Bigland Green offers a broad and balanced curriculum. Pupils are taught all the subjects of the national curriculum including religious education. The school wants pupils to be curious and enjoy their learning. The school curriculum aims to develop enquiring minds and the personal qualities for children to be good citizens of the world, and a strong sense of their own nationality and culture as a citizens of the United Kingdom.

The essence of fundamental British values (referred to as ‘Big Values’ at Bigland Green) are the bedrock of the curriculum. The school uses ‘Big Thinking’ (philosophy for children or P4C) to help children acquire these skills in a planned and systematic manner. The school curriculum aims to develop all the skills children will need in order to confidently face the world of tomorrow.

The school uses its Learning Mission to develop and embed key basic skills. The teaching of talking, reading, writing and computing is emphasised. The school uses ‘letters and sounds’ phonics programme alongside other strategies to teach reading. The school’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is organised so that children are supported with early language development, and the development of other basic skills.

The school curriculum focuses on a combination of academic and personal learning. The curriculum is enriched with visits and trips and all pupils are expected to take part. Field studies and residential trips are organised for older pupils as part of the school curriculum. The school has established a tradition of involving visiting artists and local businesses to enhance and enrich the curriculum. Pupils’ who are more able or have special educational needs receive additional support to achieve their potential. The school is part of Global School Partnership and has links with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Parents are very welcome to meet their child’s classteacher to find out more about the curriculum and obtain verbal reports on the progress that their child is making at school. The school organises three formal parent conferences during each academic year.