Organisation

Class Organisation

The school is organised into 11 chronologically ascending age groups each with one teacher per group. Because of this arrangement there are often children of two academic year groups within the same class. There is however, due to the requirements of the National Curriculum for Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) and Key Stage 2 (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6), both in content of subjects and Assessment Arrangements, a division between these two stages.

Our Reception year is named the 'Foundation Year'. The children follow a varied programme which is planned to ensure a careful balance between work and structured play, while firm foundations are laid in number work, reading and writing. At the same time, we must never forget that childhood is precious; that joy, excitement and a sense of wonder are to be cultivated, and not put at risk in order to prepare the child for the years ahead.

As the children move through Key Stage 1 and 2 our aim is to build on the foundations already laid giving each child a solid basis of knowledge contained within the National Curriculum.

Our school should be a calm, caring and friendly place in which everyone gives their best. We can achieve high standards in work and behaviour by working together; applying rules fairly and firmly and by being kind and considerate to one another.

The Bowmandale Team

The team, at present, consists of a headteacher, a deputy headteacher, and ten other teaching staff, a part time teacher, a nursery nurse, teaching assistants, an administrative and clerical assistant, a caretaker, cleaning staff, lunchtime supervisors headed by a senior supervisor, and kitchen staff. Peripatetic music teachers also teach in our school. The school has a very supportive association of parents and staff who hold a full and wide range of events throughout the year.

Governing Body

The Full Governing Body meets once a term although further meetings are held as and when necessary.

Much of the work of Bowmandale's Governing Body is carried out in the regular meetings of committees. Each committee has a specific role and terms of reference and has delegated powers so they can make certain decisions on behalf of the Governing Body.

Not all governors serve on every committee and most committees meet either termly or half-termly although the finance committee does meet at regular monthly meetings. Other committees meet very rarely such as the Personnel Appeals Committee or the committee dealing with exclusion of pupils. Governors choose which committee they wish to serve on as this allows individual governors to develop expertise in areas they are interested in or of which they already have knowledge. Members of the governing body have areas of responsibility for the curriculum.

The Chair of Governors is Mrs. Jane Tuplin.