Message from the Head teacher
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to John Cross C of E Primary School's website. The website is constantly being added to and is currently undergoing an update. Whether you are a current parent / child or a prospective parent looking for the right school for your child, I hope you find your visit both interesting and informative.
Our private Facebook group will keep you up to date of any upcoming events, as well as our regular newsletters that go home on Fridays.
Our class pages bring you news about topic work and information happening in each class.
We have school policies available to read and download if needed, whilst others can be requested from the school office.
Having taken up the post of head teacher at John Cross in September 2015, I am extremely proud and excited to have joined a wonderful school. At John Cross there is a strong family feel to the school, with the children, staff and parents all working together to provide the best start possible for your child. In our last Ofsted inspection in March 2023, the school maintained a 'good' rating, and the church school inspection by SIAMS rated us as 'outstanding' in May 2016. Children are clearly happy and enjoy their learning at our school. We have a committed staff of teachers and teaching assistants who strive to provide exciting and stimulating learning opportunities for every child. Alongside this we provide a broad and varied curriculum with themed days and weeks, nativities and productions, a variety of clubs, educational visits and visitors.
As a Church of England Primary School we are very proud of our links with Saint Hilda's church, with children taking part in services throughout the year, whilst our vicar Garry Whittaker also visits school to lead worships. This gives our school a distinctly Christian character with Christian values threading throughout our curriculum and everyday school life. This enables the children to develop strong Christian values and morals along side their academic learning. Our motto is 'Believe and Achieve', whilst our school vision is ' Life in all its fullness', John 10:10. With faith and strong values, we believe the sky is the limit! I am also proud of our strong community links and how we use our local area to maximise childrens' learning within our rich and wide curriculum.
We currently have 75 children on roll in 4 mixed aged registration classes. With our class teachers working along side skilled teaching assistants , children have a personalised learning experience in small groups allowing each child the support they need.
We have stimulating outdoor learning environments which includes extensive grounds and playing field, a lovely woodland trail where Forest school lessons are held, a garden orchard and recent new raised vegetable beds already in place. Reception have a play area of their own to suit their needs.
Since September 2021, Cock Robin Pre-school became part of John Cross school, and is now a Foundation Unit with 3 year old children and Reception children. The room has had a refurbishment and purchase of quality resources took place over the Summer holidays. Each classroom also had a brand new interactive whiteboard fitted allowing staff and children access to the latest classroom technology.
We offer wrap around care from 8am to 5.30pm each day, along with holding other after school and lunchtime clubs.
I hope you enjoy visiting our website and if you need any extra information or would like to visit the school and discuss anything further, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Liam Reynolds
Headteacher
September 2023