Vision
The following vision statement was created by the pupils, parents/carers, staff and governors during the autumn term 2005. It has been reviewed each year since.
“Respect for All, Learners for Life”
At Mandeville Primary School we recognise that education involves children, parents/carers, staff, governors, the community and the local authority. For optimum benefit, all should work closely together to support the process of learning.
Working in partnership, we aim to:
Ethos
We believe that Mandeville Primary School is a special place to be. There is a strong ethos and sense of teamwork throughout the school and in all that we do which results in the very best learning opportunities for the children in our care.
Our children’s excellent levels of achievement are a direct result of a rich, varied and challenging curriculum that is adapted to meet the needs of all pupils:
The high achievements are also attributable to the excellent levels of care, guidance and support.
We aim to encourage children to become confident, independent learners who are able to work collaboratively with others. Throughout the school a visitor can expect to see pupils engaged in dialogue with the teacher and with their peers, but always with an emphasis on learning.
British Values
The Department for Education states that there is a need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.” At Mandeville Primary School these values are embedded throughout the curriculum and reinforced regularly in the following ways.
Democracy
Pupils are always listened to by adults and are encouraged to listen carefully to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their voice heard. Pupils also have the opportunity to share their opinions and ideas through frequent pupil interviews and surveys. The decisions made by the children’s Mandeville Action Takers are based on pupil votes, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action.
The rule of law
The importance of laws whether they are those that govern the class, the school or the country, are consistently reinforced. The school rules are deeply embedded and each class also discusses and sets its own rules that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment. Our pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.
Individual liberty
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education. Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be clearly seen in our e-safety and PSHE lessons. Whether it is through choice of challenge; of how they record; of participation in our numerous extra-curricular activities; our pupils are given the freedom to make choices.
Mutual respect
Respect is one of the core values of our school and features in the school mission statement created by the whole school community in September 2005 – ‘Respect for all, learners for life’. The pupils know and understand that it is expected and that it is imperative that respect is shown to everyone, whatever differences we may have and to everything, however big or small. The core value of respect at Mandeville Primary School is deeply embedded in all that we do – both inside and outside of the school.
Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
Mandeville Primary School enhances pupils’ understanding of different faiths and beliefs through RE, PSHE, visits to other schools in different settings, welcoming visitors and enjoying a depth of study during themed weeks. During Creative Arts Week, the whole school will focus on a theme that will incorporate a cultural element. Beliefs, traditions and customs will be studied, with visitors being invited in to our school to enrich and extend understanding. Through this our pupils gain an enhanced understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society.
School History
Mandeville Primary School was opened on 9th September 1970 as a county controlled primary school. It was named after Geoffrey de Mandeville, Earl of Essex, Companion of the Conqueror, whose heirs held the manor of Saxbrixteworde in Norman times.
The school is of a modern brick construction and comprises eight classrooms all built around two courtyards. The school has extensive playing fields with its own conservation area, including a natural pond. The two interconnecting playgrounds allow children to choose between active and passive recreation, where children of all ages can effectively spend their playtimes. The playground has been ‘zoned’ so that a variety of activities are available for the children.
A Nursery class opened in April 1993, providing Early Years Education for 30 children. This has its own playground area, which is enclosed, ensuring a safe and secure environment.
Mandeville Primary School is extremely well-equipped to deliver learning across all aspects of the curriculum. There is a dedicated ICT Computer Suite and every classroom has an interactive whiteboard to augment a variety of teaching methods for children of all ages. The purpose built hall is used for physical education, musical activities, dramas, school performances, assemblies and after school clubs.
In July 2011, a new building was opened which is used for group learning activities, music tuition and Breakfast Club provision. It is named Mandevilla and is a wonderful new resource for the whole school community.
In September 2014, Mandeville welcomed an additional Reception cohort to the school. In order to accomodate 30 extra pupils, a new modular classroom (The Lodge) was installed and one of the courtyard areas was transformed into a dining/learning space (The Quad). The Early Years outside area was also redeveloped to create improved learning areas for our younger children.
The school has recently undergone an expansion programme, which will result in Mandeville Primary eventually becoming a two-form entry school. We welcomed two Reception classes in September 2023 and will be doing so every year moving forward. As a result, the school now has a brand new building and many areas within the school have been enhanced, including the Early Years outside area, lobby, office areas, dining areas, staffroom and all outside spaces. Further details can be found under the 'Expansion' tab.