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:

• provide an inclusive, supportive, caring and safe environment, which has high expectations and values all members of the school community;
• recognise the needs and aspirations of all individuals and provide opportunities for all pupils to make the best possible progress and attain the highest personal achievements;
• ensure children can develop as literate, numerate and technologically competent individuals, within a broad, balanced, exciting and challenging curriculum;
• provide rich and varied contexts and experiences for pupils to acquire, develop and apply a range of knowledge, skills and understanding;
• provide a curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, physical, mental and emotional development of the pupils;
• develop individuals with lively, enquiring minds, good thinking skills, self-respect, self-discipline and positive attitudes;
• encourage all children to be enthusiastic and committed learners, promoting their self-esteem, self-worth and emotional well-being;
• develop children’s confidence and capacity to learn and work independently and collaboratively;
• develop enduring values of respect, honesty, equality, integrity, tolerance, fairness and trust; encourage children to be adaptable and to respond positively to the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities of a rapidly changing world;
• encourage children to value the diversity in our society and the environment in which they live;encourage children to become active and responsible citizens, contributing positively to the community and society.

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. 

• All staff are highly dedicated professionals, committed not only to enabling pupils to make the very best progress, but also to helping them become independent, reflective learners. They also have a real sense of fun!
• The school’s focus is rightly on the quality of learning, which is truly exceptional. This is the result of outstanding teaching.
• Equality is also central to the vision; all members of the school community are valued equally and work extremely well in partnership.

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 outstanding curriculum, which is exciting and stimulating has a strong focus on first hand practical experiences, not just in the younger classes, but throughout the school. Theme days and weeks are part of the rich diet experienced by pupils.
• The standards reached by pupils at the end of Year 6 are a testament to the commitment and hard work of all members of the school community, adults and pupils alike. Standards are exceptionally high in all areas, and have been for some years. Pupils’ progress from joining the school is outstanding.
• The care, guidance and support for pupils is also of the highest quality. Each and every pupil who is in danger of falling behind, or who has particular needs is identified and given appropriate support.

The high achievements are also attributable to the excellent levels of care, guidance and support.

• Pupils’ personal development and well-being are outstanding. They develop respect both for themselves and others, and acquire skills such as reflection, independence and decision making. Staff are skilful in meeting pupils’ learning needs to enable them to make excellent progress.
• Pupils have a wonderful sense of community and a sense of caring for each other.

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.

• Fundamental to the outstanding teaching and learning is the partnership and excellent rapport between staff and pupils.
• Pupils take great pride in their achievements and talk with particular pride about their progress. They know their targets and can explain their next steps to improvement.
• Pupils demonstrate an excellent work ethic. Together staff and pupils recognise the importance of having a clear target to aim for, agreeing success criteria for each lesson, and checking achievement. Pupils understand how important it is to know how well they are doing, and their part in checking this.
• The school’s vision, that it should provide pupils with key skills for lifelong learning is truly realised.

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 is currently undergoing an expansion programme, which will result in Mandeville Primary becoming a two-form entry school. A new building is currently being created and is due for completion at the end of December 2023.