Christian School
Our Christian School
St. George’s Church of England Primary School is a Voluntary Controlled school in the Kent village of Wrotham, near Sevenoaks. In 1969, it moved from its original Victorian school building in the centre of the village to a modern building on a much more spacious site. The school is a one form entry with strong links with the attached St. George’s Pre-School. Current school profile includes 16% SEN with 41 (20%) pupils listed as Pupil Premium. Our 209 pupils are mostly White British, drawn mainly from the local community, which includes a large housing estate. There are significantly more boys in school than girls (117/86) and approximately 8% are from worshipping church families although many worship outside the village.
The school’s caring ‘inclusive’ ethos attracts a higher than average number of pupils with special educational needs and within the school we have a significant proportion of families who are involved with the schools Family Liaison Officer (FLO) and other outside agencies.
In 2008 the school received an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted judgement, noting that pupils achieve exceptionally well to reach above average standards by the time they leave Year 6.’ This was reconfirmed in 2011 with a positive interim judgement. Our previous SIAS took place in December 2012 with an ‘Outstanding’ grading following up a previous outstanding grading in 2008.
Key Strengths:
We are very proud of our effective and caring Christian ethos throughout the school which has an impact on the teaching and learning.
Our pupils are exposed to meaningful Collective Worship with opportunities of high level of pupil involvement and reflection.
The school is proactive within the Rochester Diocese Board Education (RDBE) with a number of members of staff involved in strategy (Forum, SACRE, RDBE MAT), previously hosting RE Support Groups in St. George’s Church, holding the Diocese RE Resources and we have been used as example of ‘Outstanding’ practice in CW with our current CW CC (Katey Anderson) supporting the Diocese in producing an FSEY’s RE Scheme of Work.
We have an enthusiastic and dedicated teamwork of staff and governors, under the leadership of the Senior Leadership Team, which supports the church aspects of this school.
In December 2012 the school received its 2nd successive SIAS ‘Outstanding’ judgement which commented on:
….’ strong Christian values which underpin the school, and are evident in its work and inspire the excellent relationships between and among adults and learners.
Collective worship is at the heart of the school, encouraging and motivating all who attend.
Religious Education (RE) is well taught and promotes the school’s Christian and Anglican identity.
The strong and effective partnership with the parish church enriches the work of the school and the lives of its families.
The exceptional links with St. George’s Church, particularly through the Rector’s involvement with the school.’
We have a short daily act of worship daily which includes a story prayer, hymn. We see these as a central part of our school life and are seen as a core activity for the school.
As a Church school we aim to nurture Christian values to enable our pupils to flourish as individuals and to ensure that they relate sensitively to the beliefs, feelings and sensibilities of others. Relevant topical issues, caring for others and learning to live together, form a basis for many of our assemblies.
Our Reverend leads our assemblies once a week and we cement ties by holding a service each month in our local Parish Church.
Parents are regularly invited to class assemblies each term and out Monthly Family Worship to share in the children’s learning.
Parents have the legal right to withdraw their children from these sessions. If you do not wish your child to take part in RE lessons or assemblies, please speak to the Headteacher so that alternative arrangements can be made.