Our Facilities and Accessibility

We are very proud of the outstanding quality of provision at The Orchard which facilitates high quality learning indoors and outdoors. Our facilities include:

• Two large, purpose made playgrounds for our Reception children and our children in Year One and Year Two
• Central resource areas for all year groups – for independent, investigational learning
• A wireless network of ‘LearnPad’ computers available in every class
• Interactive whiteboards in every class
• Adventure play-trails
• Outdoor “shelter” classrooms
• A well-resourced library
• The ‘Rainbow room’ for quiet small group or individually supported learning

Access to the school for disabled pupils, staff or visitors is available through the main entrance or the hall entrance where there is a ramp. Disabled toilets are available – one in the corridor near to the Reception classes and one near the entrance to the Year Two classes.

We have four sound-field systems in school to support hearing impaired learners and ten interactive whiteboards to ensure visual learning is accessed in all classes. We are committed to making appropriate adjustments to the curriculum, resources or support to meet the needs of children with disabilities.

A quiet room known as “The Rainbow Room” is available with appropriate resources to facilitate work with individuals or pairs. This is useful when the speech and language therapist or other outside agency visit or when one of our special needs assistants is helping a child on a specific task.

The school has been surveyed and assessed by a consultant architect from RADAR (Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation), who reported that, with the school being on one level with wide circulation areas, access and free movement around the school by wheelchair users is possible. The layout and decoration of the school is also acceptable for visually impaired people.

Our equal opportunities policy states, as our school aims reiterate, that all children are welcomed and valued. We have high expectations at The Orchard which ensure that, whatever their ability, we will provide learning opportunities which will enable all the children to fulfil their potential.

Our current carefully planned and varied provision for children with Special Education Needs supports this aim and is evidence of this commitment. Regular communication with parents of disabled children and the other agencies involved in their care is also crucial to successful inclusion. There is an accessibility plan which is reviewed every three years included in our School Improvement Plan.

Our Aims

We want our school to be a centre of excellence for learning - for children and adults and our wider community. We want to create a school where

Children are safe, happy and healthy

Children make outstanding progress and are confident, independent, enthusiastic and determined learners

Staff are inspirational practitioners, able and enthusiastic to learn from and develop others

Everyone shows respect and consideration for other people

We want our school to be a rich, exciting and fun environment which is underpinned by these important characteristics:

Learning:

Creating and thinking critically: Problem solving – using and applying skills

Confidence to take risks and to be independent

Collaboration

Responsibility, Resilience, Resourcefulness, Reflection, Reasoning (5Rs)

Exploring, Playing

Active learning

Tolerance and respect for others, their ideas and opinions

Enthusiasm for learning

Teaching:

Tenacious - wanting the best for every child, every lesson, every day

Engaging and Inspiring

Analytical and reflective assessment: rigorous and influences every lesson

Challenging - underpinned by high expectations

High Quality Interaction - questioning and feedback which guides next steps, praises effort

Excellent relationships underpinned by care and respect

Rich Language and learning environment

Leadership:

Consistent - underpinned by a clear, well communicated vision

Rigorous - analytical, informed by high expectations and determination to achieve the best for every child

Relevant - based on thorough knowledge of the school, its children, families and staff

Current research, social and political climate

Exemplary - excellent role models to ensure consistency and clarity

Aspirational

Motivating

Professional Conduct:

Reflective on own practice - proactive in seeking professional development

Empathetic to others’ needs, concerns, priorities

Seek Solutions or Guidance

Polite to children, staff, governors, visitors

Enthusiastic “can do” approach and positive in the face of adversity and change!

Communication which is clear, effective: good listening, maintaining confidentiality

If you're searching for your next teaching post, why not contact us now? You'll be working at a great school and be part of a friendly, helpful team. We're always interested to hear from enthusiastic, committed teachers - send us your CV now via our School Talent Pool and say what sort of role you're looking for. By joining our School Talent Pool we'll know you're interested in working here when a future vacancy occurs.