Fir Bank Primary School
Fir Bank Primary School is a mainstream, state funded junior school in Oldham, Greater Manchester, England. The school was built in 1972 to educate the rapidly expanding local community. The attractive, extensive grounds are enjoyed by children and adults alike and is sited on the edge of farm land. Fir Bank School is a one form entry school (one class per year group) from Nursery through to Year 6.
Pupils thoroughly enjoy attending Fir Bank Primary School. They feel very much part of the school community, which helps them to feel happy and safe. Pupils told the inspector that staff are kind and friendly and that they treat all pupils fairly
OFSTED 2023
Vision and values
Our vision and values underpin everything we aim to achieve at Fir Bank. They are key in ensuring that all members of the school community take pride in their school and always try their best. Our aim is that Fir Bank is to provide a happy, caring, nurturing and stimulating environment where we have high expectations for all to achieve their fullest potential.
Through a wide range of experiences and opportunities, our children will develop a deeper understanding of the world and become respectful and responsible citizens.
Our values include- Fairness, Inclusiveness, Respect, Believe, Achieve, Never give up and Kindness
How we have benefited from being part of the Trust
Being a member of the Oak Trust ensures that we have access to a built-in community of like-minded people who can provide expertise and skills to support the running of our school. In working together we can share best practice and knowledge with training, continuous development, business and finance to achieve the best outcomes for our children.
Building and grounds
We believe the school environment is key to supporting children in upholding the visions and values of the school. Although the school is over 50 years old supported by the Oak Trust, we have had the opportunity to take part in many extensive building projects over the past three years. These include a new nursery building which accommodates up to 30 children the installation of a new heating/ lighting system and a new roof. This has ensured that the building is modern, well maintained, vibrant and safeguarded for many years to come.
Curriculum
At Fir Bank, the curriculum is designed to provide a broad and balanced education that meets the needs of all our children.
It acknowledges prior learning; allows children to develop emotional intelligence, empathy and resilience; builds responsibility; and supports children in becoming creative and critical thinkers who know how to make a positive contribution to their community and the wider society. We seek to support the development of the whole child and every child is recognised as a unique individual.
Our curriculum aims to engage and inspire our children through themed and discreet subject teaching that is in line with the national curriculum and foundation stage. We ensure that there are clear sequences of learning that build on knowledge and understanding across all subjects and all teachers are aware of the knowledge children will have gained in each year and stage of their education. Where gaps are identified, interventions are used to support this. Children’s learning is underpinned by making clear links to prior learning. We assess the children’s curriculum knowledge and plan meaningful sequences tailored to this. We value practice and revision to support long term learning.
Cultural capital gives our students the vital background knowledge required to be informed and thoughtful members of our community who understand and believe in British values. Our curriculum reflects this.
Our core values support our curriculum provision. We promote children having a positive attitude towards their learning, being helpful caring people, being able to persevere when learning is challenging, being able to celebrate their own success and the success of others around them.
Ultimately it is our aim that our curriculum supports and challenges all children of all abilities. We understand that every child is unique, and we have high expectations for all. Our curriculum will enable all children to make progress to reach their full potential and to be proud of themselves and their success.
Extra-curricular
Extra Curricular clubs are extremely well attended at Fir Bank. We ensure a wide range of activities are available to all children. These include, mindfulness colouring, cross country, Lego club, football and multisport, maths, cricket, netball and many more. All children are encouraged to take part in an extra- curricular club. We also have coaches and instructors who run clubs after school. These change on a half termly basis.
Behaviour and standards
The first step to modelling good behaviour is to lead by example, which means that all staff, volunteers, and anyone else who comes to the school must act responsibly and professionally and will never denigrate pupils or colleagues. We work hard to ensure that discipline is consistent across the school so that behaviour boundaries and sanctions are clear to all and are applied fairly, proportionately, and without discrimination, taking into account SEND needs and disabilities as well as the additional challenges that some vulnerable pupils may face. Staff are trained to deal with behavioural strategies as part of their continual professional development and are well informed of the extent of their disciplinary authority.
We work closely with parents to understand their children and their behaviour and believe that in conjunction with behaviour boundaries and sanctions, good support systems, praise, and rewards for good behaviour are an important part of building an effective learning community.
SEND
Fir Bank Primary seeks to provide a high-quality academic education for all pupils according to their needs, and to develop attitudes of mutual respect and responsibility. It aims to give high priority to the emotional development of the whole school community in a caring environment.
At Fir Bank School the emphasis is on a whole school approach. All staff accept responsibility for providing all children with realistic learning goals in a broad-based, appropriate curriculum. We believe in nurturing and developing the educational, social, emotional, cultural and spiritual aspects by curriculum design and teaching approaches. The National Curriculum Council stated that participation in the National Curriculum by pupils with special educational needs is most likely to be achieved by encouraging good practice for all pupils and that the majority of pupils with learning difficulties simply require work to be suitably presented and differentiated to match their need.
How do we want students to leave us?
It is our vision that children leave our school as well-rounded people who have developed the skills to be resilient, respectful, kind and happy. We encourage a love of learning and through guidance, support and encouragement our children continue on their next steps in their educational journey.