Welcome from the Executive Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher
A warm welcome to Northmead Junior School.
As the Executive Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher, we believe in working closely with our dedicated team to provide the best educational experience for every child, ensuring that they are confident and ready for secondary school by the time they leave at the end of Year 6.
We also have close working relationships with Stoughton Infant School, where many of our children begin their educational journey, and with schools within Learning Partners Academy Trust.
At Northmead, we focus on developing the whole child through a broad and balanced curriculum that is enriched by fantastic extracurricular activities and experience days. We aim to nurture each child's talents and passions, allowing them to grow into well-rounded citizens.
Our school prides itself on creating a warm and caring environment, where every child feels supported and valued. Additionally, we are equipped with great facilities to enhance their learning journey and make it an enjoyable experience.
Feel free to explore our website to learn more about our educational approach and the opportunities that are on offer. Should you have any questions, our door is always open.
Sarah Carrington Denise Lewis
Executive Headteacher Deputy Headteacher
Our Ethos and Values
Aims of our school:
To provide a broad and balanced curriculum that ensures each child has a high quality, stimulating, varied and inclusive learning experience which encourages creativity, enjoyment and excellence.
To build committed, supportive and effective teams, operating within a united whole.
To develop self-esteem and a positive attitude towards others.
To raise each child's expectation of what they can achieve both now and in preparation for adult life
Our Vision
Every child is important, valued and included at Northmead.
We are given equal opportunities to achieve our very best,
Whatever our different abilities or challenges might
At Northmead, every child is valued as a unique individual. We have a caring, inclusive approach and believe all children have the right to enjoy and achieve to the best of their ability in a safe, happy and secure environment. We have high expectations and aspirations for all. We offer a broad and balanced curriculum which fosters a love of learning for now and in future life.
We aim to achieve this by building up close relationships with the children based on mutual respect. We believe close links between home and school are essential, and we value highly parental support to encourage each child to reach their potential.
Promoting British Values
At Northmead Junior School, we uphold and teach pupils about British values, which are defined as
- democracy
- rule of law
- individual liberty
- mutual respect
- tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
These values are taught explicitly through Personal, Social, Health and Emotional (PSHE), Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Religious Education (R.E). We also teach British values through planning and delivering a broad and balanced curriculum.
The school takes opportunities to actively promote British values through our daily assemblies and the whole school system, such as electing and running a successful School Council. We actively promote British values through ensuring that our curriculum planning and delivery includes real opportunities for exploring these values. Actively promoting British values also means challenging pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British values, including `extremist ` views.
Democracy
Democracy is an important value at our school. Pupils have the opportunity to have their voices heard through the school council. The election of the school council is based on pupil votes. Children wishing to stand for election prepare a speech, and they are voted as class rep by their peer group. The school council makes many decisions, such as playground equipment, being involved in decision-making and planning for an outdoor reading garden.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws and rules is constantly reinforced throughout the time in school. These are class charters, school rules, safeguarding and internet safety rules. These are taught through a unit of online safety lessons at the beginning of each school year as well as being reinforced on safer internet day. Year 3, for example, have a safety topic covering road safety and rail safety as the school is located near a main line railway line.
Mutual respect
Assemblies emphasise the importance of mutual respect and tolerance. Children and adults are challenged if they are disrespectful in any way. The school holds an annual bullying week to help children show respect to other children and celebrate differences. The school has a worry box for children to communicate any concerns with the Home School Link worker, who will then arrange to meet them.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
This is achieved through enhancing children's understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience the diversity of the United Kingdom and around the world. Assemblies and class discussions involving prejudices and prejudiced bullying have been challenged by PSHE lessons and R.E and during anti-bullying week activities. Children learn about different faiths and celebrations in RE lessons and from the experiences of children in their class.