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Our Learning Environment

The school has occupied its present site since 1969. In the Spring of 2013, we opened an extension to our existing building which supported our intended transition to a two-form entry primary school admitting sixty pupils each year.

We offer a school week of at least 32.5 hours for our children. Our school day is as follows:

Reception, Year 1 and Year 2: 8.50am to 3.20pm*

Year 3 to Year 6: 8.50am to 3.30pm*

*A staggered end to the school day allows children who exit on different parts of the school site to be collected by parents, carers and wraparound care providers safely.

Our School Site

Our building comprises of 14 classrooms, a school hall and a number of smaller teaching spaces used for individual and small group tuition. We have two playgrounds on either side of the school site along with an outdoor area used to deliver our Forest School curriculum. In addition, we have a large kitchen that enables school meals to be cooked on site. The feature we are most proud of is our dedicated library, more details can be found below.

Our School Library

Our library was purpose built in 2002 and opened by the author Linda Newbury who has since dedicated her book ‘At the Firefly Gate’ to the children of St. Mary’s. Many new books were added at that time including many which were donated by parents and pupils.

We have continued to improve and update our resources and have an excellent stock of fiction and non-fiction books; a reference section; an audio area and a selection of story sacks. Each child has the opportunity to regularly borrow books from the library with their class.

Our Librarian: Mrs Clare Peat

We are always ready to welcome volunteers in the library. If you might enjoy reading with a small group, helping children search for information, display work or are happy to prepare new books for the shelves or keep the library tidy and organised please leave your contact details at the school office.

Choosing books

Overwhelmed by the choice of books or not sure what your child might read? Have a look at the weblinks below for useful websites which will give you recommendations of books to share, reviews, themed book lists, downloadable good book guides as well as information about authors or competitions to enter!

The following links provide some great resources.

The Book Trust

An excellent website with recommendations of books to read, reviews of books, themed book lists and a downloadable best book guide. There are also interviews and podcasts with lots of children’s authors.

The Book Trust

Kids Review

A database of book reviews written by and for children.

Kids Review

Mrs Mad Book-o-rama!

Lots of information about top authors and the latest publications with short reviews.

Mrs Mad Book-o-rama!

Reading Matters

A useful website if you are looking for books for older children or teenagers.

Reading Matters

Young Readers Programme

The Young Readers Programme motivates children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to read for enjoyment.

Young Readers