Somersham Primary School

Welcome to the website of Somersham Primary!

Please look around our site to learn more about our school, meet us and our teachers and governors, and see lots of our exciting work.

You can keep up with even more news and events from school by reading the newsletters. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed to be kept informed whenever there are updates to this site.

What's New

The Somersham Golden Star Rules

Reach for the stars...

This year we have refreshed the school’s good learning code, introducing the following five 'Golden Star Rules' that offer, we believe, the route to becoming a happy and confident learner. The rules are simple to remember and there are examples of good practice posted around the school in words and pictures:

We are all happy at Somersham Primary because...

• We are kind and helpful (Yellow star)

• We are honest (Green star)

• We are polite and listen carefully (Red star)

• We are responsible (Orange star)

• We try our best (Blue star)

Rewards can be gained at any time and from any member of staff. In Key Stage 2 classes, new star charts and certificates will reaffirm this code throughout the year.

Keep up the good work

Our children’s standards of work and progress are given a ‘thumbs up’ by Ofsted: 30 March 2012

As a busy and exhilarating Spring term draws to a close, we are delighted to report that the ‘good with outstanding features’ rating awarded by Ofsted following their previous inspection visit to the school in 2009, has been reaffirmed following an interim assessment process this month.

As explained in a letter from Ofsted’s National Director, the school’s good provision and evident success in areas such as levels of pupil attainment, progress, and attendance has been sustained. Our next full inspection will therefore be deferred.

There have also been several recent ‘Core Subject Action’ sessions, when members of the school’s governing body have visited classes to monitor implementation of key school improvement priorities. Under the spotlight this term have been aspects of Mathematics and Literacy teaching and learning, and feedback highlighted the positive and supportive atmosphere throughout the school, as well as confident and eloquent children who really enjoyed their learning.

Finally, a review of provision in our Early Years Team was conducted this month by LA Associate, Jan Stone. This reinforced a message of good progress in line with a shared vision and challenging school improvement priorities: a well organised, inclusive and stimulating indoor and outdoor environment; pupils who are engaged, cooperative and behave extremely well; and clear modelling of language and high expectations by staff.

It is most gratifying to receive such positive messages and gives all the staff and pupils a lift and much encouragement to maintain our focus on raising pupils’ performance and enjoyment of learning throughout the daily curriculum at Somersham Primary.

And the music played on...

Rotary Schools’ Young Musician of the Year: 25 February 2012 A 'behind the scene' report by Josh & Rebeca

"The school Band, Choir and Recorders took part in the regional semi-final heats of this year’s Rotary Young Musician competition in Godmanchester. We went by coach which was exciting because we felt really important. Everyone who took part gave their best performance and we swept the board! Band, Choir and Recorders got through to the next round and the Band got a trophy for the best performance of the morning, which was presented to us in school by members of Rotary Club during a recent achievement assembly.

The competition was very tough but it was all worthwhile. We all felt very proud and happy and our mums and dads were full of congratulations. Thanks to Mrs Marsh and Mrs Cusworth for their encouragement and expert conducting."

Hear and see our trophy-winning musicians in action by visiting the school’s YouTube Channel.

Update: Rotary Regional Final - Sunday 11th March

Read Arundel & Alfie's full report on the choir and recorder group's nervous but exciting adventure on stage in Melton Mowbray in our school's Newsletter Issue 7.

Building bridges - Discovery Day 2: 27 January 2012

Our second whole school creativity extravaganza exemplified one of the school values, ‘Keep On Going’

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Once again the children were working together in mixed age and ability groups, focussing on bridge-building practical activities that challenged and excited in equal measure!

The first part of the day was called ‘Discovery Play’ when the children experimented with making towers using a range of materials including K’Knex, paper straws, wooden bricks, plastic straws and pieces of spaghetti (uncooked!) held together with marshmallows and jelly-babies.

Next the children were set a challenge by ‘Mr Bump’ to construct a tall and stable tower using only newspaper and masking tape. Everyone had great fun with the challenge; overcoming ‘sticky situations’ (many collapses) and working together to build a structure that would support ‘Mr Bump’.

At the end of the day the whole school came together for an achievement assembly in which each group presented their tower to the rest of the school and gave a short description of the processes involved. The winning groups were presented with certificates and the towers were displayed for everyone to see.

Staff and parent helpers commented on how well the children persevered throughout, showing great initiative and cooperation especially with the older children helping the younger children. Clearly the overarching theme of ‘Keep On Going’ resonated strongly during the day, making for a lively learning atmosphere.

Visit the school's FLICKR Channel to see other great photos of our children and staff team in bridge-building action.

Next stop: Discovery Day 4 - great teamwork (Working Together) on Friday 25th May.

Somersham Primary School gains prestigious national ICT Mark award...for the second time

ICT Mark certificate presented at a national award ceremony at the BETT Show at Olympia in London on 13th January 2012

This award (received by Mrs Howard, ICT Subject Leader, Miss Timperley & Mr McArthur – pictured left) is the culmination of a process of review and development of the use of information and communications technology (ICT) within the school. It is linked to an online review tool, known as the Self-review Framework, which helps schools gather evidence about how they use ICT in learning and teaching, and within the management of the school.

The standards of the scheme, which are set nationally, are designed to ensure that the school's investment in ICT equipment is matched by its effective use within lessons. Teachers are expected to have gained suitable skills and understanding to improve learning and teaching where ICT is being used; appropriate systems should also be in place to record pupils' achievements and underpin other key aspects of the school's management. Schools with the award will have effective Safeguarding policies and procedures in place to ensure the school community is operating best practice in e-Safety.

It is important that the use of ICT has a real impact on the experience and progress of pupils within the school. As for our first Award in 2008, a visiting ICT Mark Assessor checked to ensure that pupils are receiving their "entitlement" to ICT within lessons and whole-heartedly endorsed that the school is using technology to enable learning beyond the normal school day and to improve external links (to read the full report, click here).

The lead member of staff, David Hawkins (former ICT subject leader), involved in ensuring the school was ready for ICT Mark assessment, commented, ‘I am really pleased that the presentation of this award shows recognition of the excellent ICT work that is continuing to take place at our school. Applying for re-accreditation of this award really brought into focus the ICT work that we are doing each and every day. All the children and staff deserve credit for this achievement.’ Work has already started on our next target; to gain the NAACE Third Millennium Award with a renewed focus on digital yet sustainable innovation: eco-smart projectors, a new wireless network and ICT learning kits.

Bernadette Brooks, Naace General Manager, said "Somersham Primary thoroughly deserve the accolade of an ICT Mark accreditation. They clearly demonstrate how important it is to take a whole school approach to using ICT in schools. We look forward to a continuing and really positive working relationship with the school’s staff to demonstrate how ICT can have a substantial impact on learner outcomes in the future."

Older 'What's New' articles are available in the news archive.

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Tel: (01487) 840412 / Fax: (01487) 741194 / Emergency Site No. (07905) 945411
E-mail: office@somersham.cambs.sch.uk / Website: www.somersham.cambs.sch.uk
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