Private School Oxfordshire

Windrush Valley School – new term

Welcoming pupils back from their summer break for the start of a new academic year is one of the best times of the year for me. The extra spring in the children’s steps as they come through the school gate is a joy to see.

New faces are also a welcome and inspiring sight. This term, 13 new pupils joined the school. Whilst small class sizes (currently averaging 10 pupils per class) are a fundamental tenet of Windrush Valley School, it is also important that the school has a steady flow of new pupils. It helps the children build new friends, relationships and improve their social skills.

New staff

As well as new pupils, we also welcomed new and additional teaching staff. The highly experienced Mrs Barber and Mrs Sandiford, who have 42 years of teaching experience between them, join us to cover Mrs Lockyer who goes on maternity leave to have her very own new arrival. In addition, Luke Copper, our new school sports coach has joined us. Luke’s aim is to continue to deliver the school’s outstanding sporting pedigree.

The children were also delighted to see some other new faces to the school; Our Foundation Unit pupils watched in amazement as the eggs that had been incubating finally hatched and 10 chicks sprang out before their very eyes; a fitting tribute to a time of new beginnings.

New outdoor learning area

Our new outdoor learning area is now fully completed and open for business. It provides a fun and inspiring environment where pupils can learn and explore. We’re particularly looking forward to future outdoor interactive Science lessons.

Private School Oxfordshire – curriculum

During the summer months the teaching staff at Windrush Valley School have been working hard refining the school curriculum and to continue our purpose of delivering academic excellence. In addition, the curriculum is enhanced by a wide variety of trips and events. This term alone will include the following:

Harvest Festival in Chadlington Church. Our celebrations will also include donations of food for the Oxfordshire Food Bank.

Overseas trip to Holland for Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6. This trip includes visits to Corpus, Clara Maria Clog and Cheese Farm, Space Expo, Zaanse Schaanse and de Efteling theme park.

‘Hunt the Harvest Mouse’. A fun packed open morning open to all with parents with pre-school children.

Sports. As always, we have a packed sporting schedule. The first Private School Oxfordshire sports fixtures of this new term is a mini netball tournament with Kitebrook. After half term there will also be competitive cross-country competition with St Hugh’s, St Helen’s and St Katherine’s schools.

 After half term

The schedule after half term is another busy period for the school and the pupils. All pupils from Year 2 to Year 6 will prepare a talk, recite a poem and perform a reading for an external examiner at the Private School Oxfordshire English Speaking Board exams.

We also have something for parents; a quiz night. It’s a great opportunity to test your general knowledge and socialise with other parents.

In the run up to Christmas, our Foundation Unit and KS1 pupils will be visiting Roves Farm to see a live action nativity, meet the animals, and say hello to Santa. The children will also be performing in our own annual nativity and carol service. K2 pupils will be off to the theatre to see Billionaire Boy at the New Theatre, Oxfordshire.

So welcome to this new academic year. More details about what’s going on at the school can be found by accessing our online Events Diary. Plus, please also feel free to speak with you child’s class teacher or if you’re a new parent, please telephone the school office on 01993 831793 or view our Admissions page.

Windrush Valley School – Private School Oxfordshire – Ranked in the top 50 best Private Schools (primary) in England by the Times.
Mrs Amanda Douglas – Headteacher.