Prospectus

The original school, built in 1848 and situated within the village, is now occupied as a private dwelling. The present school opened in 1966 as a Primary school but changed to a First school with the introduction of the 3-tier education system by Wiltshire County Council in the 1970’s. We were given permission by the Education Committee to revert to a Primary school in September 2001.

The constitution of the school is set out in the Instrument of Government; while the day to day management of the school is set out in the Articles of Government for Voluntary Aided Schools. The Wiltshire Education Committee issued both legal documents on 28 July 1989. Copies are available for inspection.

Coombe Bissett School seeks to serve, in the name of Christ, the community in which it is situated.

We deliver a broad and balanced Curriculum, with emphasis on the National Curriculum Core Subjects (English, Maths, Science and Information and Communication Technology). We work very hard to link together common themes each term in order to allow cross-curricular links to be used to reinforce learning and understanding. We are implementing the new National Primary Strategy for literacy and numeracy. The curriculum is structured to cater for the individual needs of all the children to ensure that the academic potential of each child is fully developed.

We believe that the curriculum should be delivered in an environment, which stimulates interest and positive attitudes to work. We aim to develop certain qualities in our pupils.

They are:

1. Curiosity
2. Self esteem
3. Confidence
4. Appreciation of quality
5. Pride in one’s work
6. Perseverance
7. Tolerance
8. Independence
9. Moral values
10. Courtesy at all times

We also endeavour to enrich the children’s experiences both within and outside the school environment through educational trips, workshops, theatre trips, visiting theatre groups and story tellers, Book Weeks, visiting speakers, charity days and whole-school theme days. We also offer a number of after-school activity clubs.

Our school has four classrooms, one of which has separate cloakroom and toilet facilities for the younger children. There is a central hall which is used for our daily collective worship and other whole school events. We also use the hall for P.E. lessons and dining at lunch times. Our library, which is situated next to the hall is a often used as a quiet area for small group or one to one work.

The grounds are extensive and overlook the village of Coombe Bissett, which is in an area of outstanding natural beauty. We have a large playing field, playground and a picnic area which includes adventure play equipment and an iron-age hut! We have added to our outdoor learning opportunities with a garden in which each class has its own raised bed. We are currently developing the outdoor learning environment for our early years.

We are also very fortunate to have amazing facilities within our local area and Salisbury. The children enjoy visits to the local nature reserve and the Cathedral and theatre venues in Salisbury.

We have four classes, each of which is named after a tree. Our youngest children start in Oak class. We then have Elm class – years 1 and 2; Fir class – years 3 and 4; Ash class – years 5 and 6. Each class is supported by Teaching Assistants who work closely with the Class Teachers to support and enrich the children’s learning.

School hours:

Morning session 9.00 – 12.00 (with a 15 minute break for all children)
Afternoon session 13.00 – 15.30 (with a 15 minute break for Reception and Key Stage One children)

Milk:

Organised by Cool Milk. (Forms are available from the School Office)

Fruit & Vegetable:

This is available free to children in Elm and Oak class and for a small charge to children in Ash and Fir classes.

Water:

We encourage all children to have a water bottle in class with them in addition to their lunch time drink.