Hermitage Primary School

Hermitage is a one-and-a-half form entry primary school located in Wapping, East London. We have about 320 children on roll ranging in age from nursery. (age 3) to year 6 (age 11). We are very proud of our peaceful and historical location, close to the River Thames and St Katharine's Docks. We are easily accessible from Tower Hill, Tower Gateway and Wapping stations and the 100 bus stops just outside, whether coming from Elephant and Castle via Liverpool Street Station or from Shadwell.

Hermitage has 12 classes across three areas of the school. The Early Years Foundation Stage has 3 classes which consist of a nursery class offering both fulltime and part time places, and two Reception classes. Key Stage 1 has 3 classes whilst Key Stage 2 has 6 classes.

Parents and members of the community are an important part of school life, and we have many educational opportunities available, from our pre-school "Stay and Play" toy library to "Strengthening families, strengthening Communities" classes. Hermitage has an active parent group, called the 'Hermitage Parent Teacher Association', who organise and run events for the children, parents and local people, including the hugely popular "Hermitage Feast” summer Fair.

We seek and nurture partnerships with the local community, and the wider world. We have links with the Hermitage Moorings River project, the Whitechapel Art gallery, Wadham College at Oxford University, the Tower of London and News International, as well as being regular visitors to museums, theatres, Gorsefield Residential Centre and other local study centres.

We work closely with other schools to ensure that our teaching and learning builds on best practice in different schools, and this includes projects such as working on transition to secondary with St Peters, and "Connecting Classrooms” with Oaklands Secondary School and Seven Mills Primary, linking with schools in Chapai, Bangladesh. We take part in sporting competitions and most recently are the Maths League Champions after competing with other Tower Hamlets schools.

Hermitage has extensive grounds that enable us to learn about being environmentally responsible and we strive to be a community that is promoting a sustainable lifestyle. We have a pond and a wildlife area, a tree nursery and community growing space. We have silver Eco school status, and are working towards the gold award. We are a Forest school, ensuring that our commitment to learning outside is provided through well planned and exciting activities.

We are a fully inclusive school and have recently been awarded the Inclusion Quality Mark, which will recognise the work we do to help all the children in the school to reach their full potential.

At Hermitage Primary School we want children to be happy and enjoy their learning. We want children to be healthy and stay safe. The education we provide should enable children to realise their dreams and make positive contributions to their own community and the wider world. Children have a right to be given choices so that they can reflect on and take responsibility for their own learning and behaviour. We want children to be confident and self-motivated, both academically and socially.

The school works hard to provide an inspiring learning environment that promotes high expectations, independent learning and appropriate challenge. The resources are accessible, suitable for each child and well maintained. The staff at Hermitage strive to be positive role models, inspiring children to have and pursue their own aspirations. The staff team bring to the school a variety of skills, experiences, interests and knowledge that inform their practice and enable children to access and enjoy a varied school experience.

Hermitage school teaches children a wide range of skills to become confident individuals in the outside world. The school involves the wider community in playing an active part in the children’s learning and education. At Hermitage we are committed to ensuring that every child makes good progress in their learning, and leaves the school able to participate successfully at an academic, social and emotional level in secondary school and beyond.