Brompton and Sawdon Community Primary school

Website:             https://www.bromptonsawdonschool.co.uk

Located around the North York Moors National Park around 8 miles from the coastal resort of Scarborough, the school is situated close to the A170 (Thirsk/Scarborough road) and 2 miles from the A64 (for connections to York and Leeds).

The village is steeped in history – it was the home to Sir George Cayley, the first aviator and the church (All Saints’ Church) was the place of marriage for William Wordsworth.

The village has an active Parish Council and committee with events regularly held at the Village Hall. There are also several businesses in the village, such as Betton Wines and Glaves’ Butchers.

We are a happy and caring school where achievement and teaching are good and parents and Governors provide strong support.

The official catchment area serves the villages of Brompton-by-Sawdon and Sawdon. The school tends to attract students out of catchment from neighbouring villages, such as Snainton, Sherburn, Allerston and Wykeham, as well as further afield locations, such as East Ayton and Scarborough.

Students come to us from a range of socio-economic backgrounds, including rural/farming, as well as those whose parents/carers have professional qualifications and careers.

·       13.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals.

·       11.7% of pupils receive SEN support.

·       3.9% of pupils have EHCPs

·       School deprivation indicator is 0.13.

·       3.5% of pupils are from minority ethnic groups (not White British).

·       No pupils speak English as an additional language

·       We have 2 armed forces students in the school (3%)

·       We have a high proportion of female students (61.7%)

Mobility of pupils fluctuates year-on-year. This is apparent in the academic year 2020/21 with several students joining the school. The current stability rating is 76.9%. 81% of current students have been on roll continuously since EYFS.

Students are variously described as very well-behaved, polite, confident, happy, engaging, friendly and respectful. They are mutually supportive, value friendships and enjoy and take comfort in a friendly, family-orientated environment, where their needs are individually supported, allowing them to be successful in their own right.

We are fortunate in having the use of Brompton Hall School facilities (including an all-weather pitch and field). We also have access to a Forest School site located ¼ mile away, behind the Manor House (which belongs to the descendants of Sir George Cayley).

Wrap-round care is provided on site (Brompton Buddies) and caters for approximately 10 children. We also offer our pupils a number of club activities, including Sports, Film, Art, Yoga and Dance.

Educational visits are a big part of the curriculum and pupils are able to visit the best locations in the area, such as Eureka, Jorvik, Danby Moors Centre, Scarborough Spa, Murton Park, Yorkshire Air Museum, Bradford Media Museum, as well as having the opportunity of residential visits to the Peat Rigg Outdoor Centre.

There are currently 3 classes in the school. Each class has a full-time teacher and full-time teaching assistant. The teaching assistants are also the school’s MSAs and/or Wrap round care workers.

As Headteacher, you will be responsible as the school’s senior leader but supported by the other senior teacher in the school (who is currently studying for NPQSL).

The Interim Headteacher, a substantive teacher, having gained NPQH, would also support the incoming Headteacher. The interim has been leading the school since the departure of the substantive Headteacher in March 2019.

Subject leaders are employed for the core subjects. There is also some leadership of foundation subjects, however, this is currently, in most cases, shared between the staff with Headteacher oversight.

The SENDCo is currently the school’s Interim Headteacher.

We have one, full-time administrator.

The small staff is tight-knit and work together well. They know each other on a personal level and enjoy being part of a family-orientated school.

Budget

• The school has a healthy carry forward from previous years, although there was a significant in-year deficit in 2019/20
• There is a projected surplus for 2020/21, as leaders have addressed the deficits
• An increase in pupil numbers has resulted in further projected surpluses, allowing flexibility in staffing and resources for future years
• However, the new Headteacher will need to monitor and manage the budget
• There is a strategy in place to maintain financial viability

Our school is such a special and unique place to learn.  Together, we all aspire to fulfil our true potential, understand each other and follow our dreams.  We aim to inspire, with high quality teaching, learning and experiences in and beyond the classroom.  As a school, we are all learners who learn in different ways – we recognise the challenges and barriers that can be faced.  By building independence, resilience, an ability to try new things, a positive attitude and a commitment to excellence in all we do – we will all be ‘Ready to Fly’.

Part of our school ethos and our school charter (written by pupils and agreed by staff, governors and everyone in school) revolves around our values such as respect, tolerance, friendship and forgiveness. Pupils are part of discussions and assemblies based on these themes each half term. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. Displays around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour policy. Children have the opportunity to talk to anyone in school about how they are feeling.  The children are also given the opportunity to suggest ways in which they could 'cheer up' any friends who are sad and indeed, they can discuss any conflicts within the group reinforcing mutual respect and kindness.

Ofsted and SIAMS Inspection & School Data

Student Achievement

Children achieve well from their relative starting points. They begin school with a range of needs and abilities, relevant to the rural context. Speech and language issues are addressed well through Speech Therapist support.

There is vibrant EYFS learning that allows children to develop in multiple facets. Students then have a range of experiences and support to help them achieve the goals of the National Curriculum. This is supported through innovative teaching methods.

Pupils perform well within national expectations and effective measures are in place to improve reading standards across the school.

OfSTEAD Inspection

January 2019 – Requires Improvement

Current school strengths:

·       Strong family feel

·       Outdoor learning is used well

·       EYFS children make a good start to their schooling

·       Higher attaining students achieve well by the end of Year 6

·       Support staff and governor team

·       Well-developed curriculum

·       Phonics is taught well and built on in the school

·       Inclusive and forward-thinking stakeholders

Current areas identified for improvement:

·       SEND

·       Pockets of teaching and learning, including setting high expectations

·       Analysing progress in EYFS

·       Developing a newly-establish governing body

·       Implementing new curriculum, including RSE

School Improvement Plan – main priorities

·       Developing Teaching and Learning (incl. high expectations of students)

·       Develop leadership (incl. Governance, Pupil Premium spending, monitoring of teaching and learning).

·       Implement newly- developed curriculum

·       SEND

·       EYFS progress tracking

Relationships

The school has strong links and is well supported in all aspects of its work by parents/carers (who are kept informed by way of regular newsletters) and by the wider community. There is a ‘Friends of Brompton School’ group, which arranges events for children and adults, some of which raise funds for school. The ‘Friends’ have a healthy balance in their accounts, which can be used for school visits or one-off resourcing projects.

We engage well with a tight-knit community throughout the year including events such as Harvest, Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s and a summer/leavers barbecue. In addition, we also arrange events where students can ‘perform’ or share their work with parents/carers, such as art exhibitions, plays/performances and class assemblies.

We are an integral part of the whole community, and pupils are often engaged in community events both on and off site. This includes charity work which has seen pupils supporting Mental Health Awareness Week, Children in Need, Sport Relief and Christmas Shoebox Appeal.

The school currently receives support from the LEA in the form of a School Improvement Adviser, who visits regularly, and is monitoring the progress towards resolving the issues raised by OfSTED, as well as supporting the interim headteacher. We are also supported by our local school cluster and are part of The Eskdale Teaching Alliance.

The new Governing Body supports the school well. There were significant changes following our most recent OfSTED inspection. The GB now includes a much broader base of educational experience and, as a result, is better able to monitor as well as providing appropriate support and challenge.

The Chair of Governors takes an active role in supporting the school, especially the headteacher.

Living and working in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire is England's largest county and one of the most rural. The area comprises the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Pennines and a stunning coastline around Scarborough and Whitby. There are ruined castles and abbeys, serene gardens, unique breweries, thrilling rides and industrial heritage. The area hosted the phenomenal Tour de France in 2014 and has since created the Tour de Yorkshire, an annual event with global recognition. Our success in supporting these events led to Harrogate hosting the UCI Cycling World Championships in 2019.

North Yorkshire has plenty to offer the outdoor enthusiast. From the hard gritstone of Almscliff and Brimham Rocks to the limestone of Malham, Gordale and Kilnsey climbing venues are in abundance. The Yorkshire Dales is the premier area for caving and for mountain biking; there are the bridleways of the Dales and North York Moors as well as the renowned trail centre at Dalby Forest. There are a small number of sailing clubs on reservoirs around the county and fantastic surfsport venues and sea kayaking on the east coast.

While the county is rightly known for its wide open spaces, it also incorporates attractive market towns including Pickering and Helmsley, traditional seaside towns, the Spa town of Harrogate and the ancient city of York - the most visited city outside of London. There are a wide range of shopping, leisure and cultural facilities as well as excellent schools, universities, road and rail links, there really is everything to offer you and your family as a place to work, live and enjoy!

Travelling further afield we have convenient connectivity, with close proximity to metropolitan cities of Leeds and Newcastle, with little over two hours commute on the main train line to London. We border the Lake District, Lancashire, County Durham, and Yorkshire & Humber regions with all they have to offer.

About Brompton & Sawdon

Brompton-by-Sawdon Parish lies on the northern edge of the Vale of Pickering. It comprises the two villages of Brompton-by-Sawdon (the larger) and Sawdon, together with surrounding farm land. The parish has a population of around 480 people. Brompton-by-Sawdon is traversed by the A170, Scarborough to Thirsk road and is about 8 miles from Scarborough. Sawdon lies about 2 miles to the north of Brompton in an elevated position. Most of Brompton-by-Sawdon is in a Conservation Area, which has a controlling influence on changes and developments. Part of Sawdon is within a Conservation area and part lies within the North York Moors National Park. These factors also control changes and developments within the village. Brompton-by-Sawdon has a butchers’ shop, a tearoom and a weekly Post Office. There is a well-used village hall and All Saints Church is a grade 1 listed building, where William Wordsworth was married. An area to the south of the village, known as The Butts, is a designated village green, used by both locals and visitors. The area is owned and managed by the Parish Council. The school has use an area of woods on the edge of the Butts for Forest School activities.

The nearest railway station is at Seamer about three and a half miles away. York, with all the assets of an historic city is 32 miles to the west. Scarborough and the East Coast beaches is 8 miles to the East. The North York Moors lie to the north and the Yorkshire Wolds to the south.

Both Brompton and Sawdon have a strong sense of community. There are many active groups including Pony Club, Brownies, Local History Society, Gardening Club, Community Lunch, Music and Entertainment, Team Quiz and Darts, meeting at our two village halls.