Goresbrook School

We are all learners at Goresbrook from our youngest student, to our most senior members of staff, and we firmly believe that by learning together, we grow and succeed together. This commitment to learning by everybody in the school is key to ensuring that we all achieve our potential. I am extremely passionate and committed to seeing Goresbrook School and its students fulfil their full potential. The brilliant staff members at the school are central to us achieving this goal.

We are an expanding all-through school that aims to give all our students the best education so they can succeed in later life. Being an all-through school, our students have the fantastic opportunity to study with us from Nursery to Sixth Form, without having the transition from Primary to Secondary school. Our school motto is ‘growth, belief, team’, because we truly believe that these three qualities will enable us all to achieve our aims.

It is really important that parents and carers work with us to ensure children stay safe in their use of technology. When we talk about e-safety, we are not just talking about the internet. We are talking about the use of computers, games consoles (such as X-Box), mobile phones, televisions, tablets (such as the iPad) and many other things. You will have been asked to fill out our 'acceptable use policy' for your child. This details some of the ways in which we encourage children to behave, and outlines our rules for safe use of technology. We also ask your permission for the use of photos and video on the website and in other places. All students at Goresbrook School receive E-safety training to help keep them safe in an ever evolving technological world. Please look at the useful links and documents below regarding how to keep your child safe whilst using technology and the internet.

The Pupil Premium is an additional source of funding provided to schools to support the raising of achievement for deprived children, a group recognised nationally as vulnerable to underperformance at school. The funding is calculated by measuring the number of students receiving Free School Meals (FSM) in the last 6 years (‘Ever 6’).

We believe the money must be used so that all children benefit regardless of sporting ability. We aim to encourage and celebrate a ‘love of sport’ and understanding of the importance of being active and healthy. In addition all children in Reception and Year 1 have the chance to take part in a wide range of professionally run sports clubs every evening which include ballet, football, basketball, gymnastics, music, dance and tennis. Pupil premium children get one paid club per term free. We believe that these clubs enrich the school experience for those who take part.

The impact of the spending is the uptake numbers for sports clubs (these clubs are at full capacity with approximately 20 children per session) and dedicated, specialist PE teachers for the primary phase. Feedback about the clubs offer and P.E curriculum from parents and children is very positive. Coaches have noted that the skill and ability of the children in P.E and after-school clubs has improved over the course of the sessions. Children also have a greater awareness of the importance of being fit, active and healthy.

At Goresbrook School, we pride ourselves on providing high quality teaching and learning to all pupils, all of the time. Our pupils and staff thrive in a ‘no excuses’ culture, meaning our expectations of pupils’ behaviour and effort are never compromised.We acknowledge that a small number of pupils will require provision that is different or additional to the majority of pupils in order to achieve their potential. These pupils are deemed to have special educational needs (SEN) and are added the SEN register. The SEN register is fluid and pupils are added or removed based on their individual needs and rate of progress at a given point in time.

Goresbrook School believes that the pupils with the highest level of need are most likely to succeed by accessing the best quality teaching and interventions available. As well as experienced teachers teaching smaller groups of pupils, we use research-based interventions such as Fresh Start, Stareway to Spelling and nurture groups, delivered by staff with the appropriate training to meet pupils’ needs most effectively.As well as ensuring pupils’ academic success, we offer a comprehensive range of support, such as lunch club, Circle of Friends and Place2Talk, to ensure pupils’ social and emotional needs are met.

Pupil voice helps shape our provision and parents are kept up-to-date with details of their child’s progress, successes and any concerns that arise. We aim to work in partnership with pupils and their parents to ensure that any special educational need is quickly identified and that barriers to learning and participation are removed.

The SENDCO works closely with all teachers and teaching fellows to ensure the needs of all pupils are properly understood and met. Progress of pupils with SEND is closely monitored to ensure quality and effectiveness, and changes or adaptations to provision are made as necessary.

External specialists, such as Speech and Language Therapists, Educational Psychologists, and the School Nurse, are consulted regularly for advice as to how best to meet the needs of individuals and groups of pupils. Regular training for all school leaders, teachers and support staff helps to ensure everyone has the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of all pupils on the SEN register.At Goresbrook School, we believe in the power of growth mind-set. All staff work tirelessly to ensure that every pupil achieves their potential, regardless of background, prior attainment or special educational need.