Hawes Down Primary School

At Hawes Down Primary School we challenge and nurture our children into becoming valued individuals who will reach their full potential through independent thinking and confident learning. Situated in spacious grounds, we are an inclusive, friendly and progressive two form entry primary school that, additionally, offers a successful provision for children who have Severe and Complex Communication Needs.

We have a terrific team of committed teachers and support staff that are passionate about teaching and provide our children with engaging and inspiring learning experiences across a well-balanced, broad and enriched curriculum. We foster a strong parent partnership and the children leave us with happy memories of school.

Our children have access to an extensive extra­curricular programme that includes school trips and two residential trips, sport, music, dance and drama.Through our high expectations of behaviour and a reward system that values pupils and celebrates achievement, no matter how great or small, our children leave Hawes Down Primary School confident and responsible citizens, able to meet the challenges of secondary school.

Our Mission Statement is to challenge and nurture our children to become valued individuals who will reach their full potential by becoming independent thinkers and confident learners.

• Provide a safe, secure, happy and stimulating environment where children enjoy their learning and are inspired to achieve.
• Provide an inclusive, welcoming and caring environment of mutual respect, where children feel special and valued.
• Recognise that all children are different and seek to accommodate all learning and social needs.
• Encourage every child to realise their full academic and personal potential by providing a challenging, balanced, broad and enriched curriculum both in and out of school hours.
• Provide high standards of behaviour where children feel confident to communicate feelings and are equipped with solid moral values.
• Encourage, reward and value hardworking pupils who take pride in their work and are excellent role models around the school.
• Encourage positive partnerships and collaborative thinking between all stakeholders of the school.
• Ensure that all children have happy memories of their time in our school and who, upon leaving, have become responsible members of our community and the wider world.

The children are always encouraged to strive to achieve high standards and success in everything they set their minds to, and to always search for "taller mountains to climb".

The children are always encouraged to brave to take on new or difficult challenges, as well as ask for help when they need it most. As well as this, to be brave enough to stand up and uphold our school rules and values confidently.

The children are always encouraged to, and always do, show compassion for each other and those who need our care and support.

Schools have the freedom to use the pupil premium funding in innovative ways, but it is expected to be used to raise the attainment of the pupils and to close any attainment gap between eligible pupils and their peers. They are held to account by Ofsted through its inspections, which include a close focus on Pupil Premium use and the performance of pupils who attract it. Schools are required to publish online details of their premium spend for parents and carers.

Our aim is to improve the school even more and make it a better and more enjoyable environment.The School Council's achievements have grown each year. At the meetings, held by the Chair and Vice Chair, pupils decide what can be done to improve the school. We don't just decide ourselves what to do; our classmates put their ideas down too through questionnaires and surveys.