News from the Head Teacher – March 2013
This term we have welcomed four new families to our school which brings us very near to capacity in year 1 and year 3. Throughout the term the children have had a wide variety of exciting experiences including visiting both Ashbury Churches, Faringdon Community College and Watchfield School. Further to this the children in Ashdown class have received specialist teaching from FCC. The Faringdon Partnership of schools continues to work closely together to provide the best opportunities for children. Following these visits we have had extremely positive feedback regarding the behaviour of our children which has been described as outstanding by many people on many occasions. Well done children!
Reflecting on last year, our SAT data for May 2012 shows that in terms of pupil progress from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2, we are in the top 8% nationally. Furthermore, 17% made 3 levels progress in English and 33% made 3 levels progress in maths. What great news to start the term.
News from Ashbury School – Late December 2011
Thank you to everyone who came along and supported our Christmas Fayre. We raised £850.00 which is a fabulous boost to our new playground appeal. We have also been fortunate to receive some very generous donations. Fundraising activities and donations since the start of term in September means that we are well on our way to our target of £4,000 for the end of 2011. This is a tremendous effort and huge thanks goes to the parents, children, staff, governors and the wider community for supporting us in this huge and exciting project.
More events to follow in 2012! Thank you again from all of us especially the children at Ashbury School. If you would also like to make a donation towards the new playground, please contact James Greenham, Treasurer of Friends on 710152 or jamesgreenham@btinternet.com
By Marcia Northeast
Pinewood Launch their Sports Outreach Program with Ashbury School
The pupils from Ashbury School were lucky enough to benefit from the new Sports Outreach Program at Pinewood school. Groups of girls and boys from Ashbury joined in the regular Pinewood sports program enjoying both cricket and rounders. It was fantastic for Ashbury to be able to use the wonderful sports facilities and make some new friends amongst both staff and pupils. It is hoped to continue with this initiative for other sports next term and to expand it further with links to other schools in the area.
News from Ashbury Primary School – Early December 2011
By Marcia Northeast The focus on science in Ashbury was further enhanced for many of the children this term by a trip to to Bristol, one of the UK’s biggest interactive science centres. The trip, led by Miss Finlay, our specialist science teacher and Dr Neil Morgan, our science ambassador encouraged the children to explore all aspects of science including finding fossils, experimenting with magnetic forces, experiencing the power generated by water and examining their own veins and arteries under ultra violet light. They even got to see a real human brain! The trip culminated in a visit to the Planetarium, where the children were taught about the constellations, coloured stars, giant planets and how to navigate their way through space. They returned from the trip excited and full of questions and ideas which they are keen to explore!
We were also lucky enough to have a visit from a professional theatre company who gave an excellent performance of Dick Whittington. The children thoroughly enjoyed the show. Here is an account from Rachael in her own words…
“On Tuesday 8th November the pupils and adults of Ashbury School were presented with the production of Dick Whittington. The infants and a few lucky adults from Bishopstone Primary School were also invited. This delightful play was held in the hall of Ashbury School. There were four actors playing ten characters and changing the scenery whilst swapping costumes. It truly was an amazing sight with the sound effects and lighting. I was astonished at how smoothly it ran. Another humorous aspect of this play was when the pirate captain Hawks Eye asked Ashdown teacher Miss Gambles if she would marry him and when she said no she was pulled up to dance. It really was an amazing sight.”
Our sports coaching partnership with Pinewood School continues with hockey and tag rugby being enjoyed by pupils who take part in Active Ashbury and we are looking forward to our Christmas production and a busy end of term. Don’t forget our Christmas Fair and Craft Market on Friday 2nd December at 6 pm, there will be lots of opportunities for some great Christmas shopping on your doorstep. Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.
News from Ashbury School – November 2011
by Marcia Northeast
The exciting news this month was our inspection by SIAS, (The National Society Statutory Inspection of Anglican Schools) who are the “Ofsted” of the Anglican Church. The subsequent report congratulates the school on many aspects including the commitment and leadership of the head teacher, the ethos of care throughout the school and the high level of integration of the school with the Church and the community. Many positive comments have been received from the local community about the Family Harvest Festival Service at St Mary’s at the end of September, in which children from Ashbury took part and led the singing. Finally, this term sees the launch of the Ashbury School Playground Appeal, to completely redevelop the playground to make it a more imaginative, inspiring place for the children to play and learn.We look forward to working with the local community and welcome any help or ideas that will bring us closer to achieving our new playground.
Message from the ‘Friends of Ashbury School’
‘Thank you’ to all those who took part in the village scavenger hunt. We raised a grand total of £270.00; a great start to the launch of the Ashbury School Playground Appeal. Ashbury School Christmas Fair and Craft Market will take place on Friday 2nd December at 6 pm. There are lots of exciting new stalls including handmade cards, jewellery, Christmas wreaths, handmade chocolates, decorative homeware, handmade candles, handmade bags as well as Santa’s workshop and Santa’s Grotto.
OFSTED Report – July 2011
The OFSTED report for Ashbury School published in July 2011 provided independent confirmation that all the hard work has been worth it! Ashbury has moved from the lower levels of “Satisfactory” to a judgement of “Good with Outstanding Features”. Every single person involved in school life played a part in this but it is the enthusiam and determined hard work of Miss Northeast, the staff and the children that has really been pivotal. An enormous thank you to them all and congratulations to everyone, from the Governors of Ashbury School.
We are also delighted to announce that Ofsted judged Ashbury Pre-School PFSU as “Outstanding” in all areas in their inspection carried out in July 2011. Ofsted highlighted the great links and cohesion between the School and the Pre-School, reporting: “there are outstanding links to ensure children have a smooth transition to full time education in the School”. Ofsted also reported: “Partnerships with the host school are outstanding and the Pre-School benefits from the free flow use of the extensive and well equipped outdoor environment which they share with the reception class”.