History 

By 1820, Thomas Blackall vicar of Tardebigge had closed the "Magpie" public house in the churchyard and converted it into a school. There is a reference "the public house is now a school" in the Hewell Estate Book of 1820.

The school was started a few years earlier because of references to the school master W. Turner, living at the "court house" and at the "church school" in 1817 and 1819 respectively in the Hewell Estate Books. The National Society was formed in 1811 and so the school in the old "Magpie" pub was almost certainly the first national school in the parish.

In 1843 Lady Harriet Clive of Hewell Grange had the old pub building demolished and she built two separate schools, one for boys and one for girls, and a house. There has been a school on the present site for 200 years.

It has been a first school since 1974. In 1984 there were 43 pupils on roll; now there are approximately 135, in 5 classes (Reception and Years 1-4).

The ethos of this five-class 'family' school is excellent, as are its academic achievements. It provides the children in its care with the best opportunity to learn in order that they develop their full potential mentally, physically, morally and spiritually within a Christian environment.

The success of the school has been confirmed through the OFSTED Inspection and Report.

Tardebigge C E (Aided) School is a Church of England denominational school, providing excellent opportunities for children aged from 4+ to 9+ years of age. Traditionally, our intake has largely been made up from those children who have lived in Tardebigge, Upper and Lower Bentley area, and those children whose parents have expressed a wish for their children to receive a Church of England denominational education. However, since the 1981 Education Act allows parents to apply for pupil admission to the school of their choice, children are being admitted from the surrounding areas of Redditch and Bromsgrove.

Children enter school during the autumn term of the school year in which they are five. Part-time places are available for the very youngest children in that school year.

The school provides a friendly atmosphere and encourages purposeful industrious attitudes in its pupils. We are proud of our reputation of caring for the needs of the individual, guiding each pupil to reach his or her full potential. Children are expected to work hard so that the highest possible academic standards can be reached. We also aim to make children socially aware so that they become caring, considerate members of our society.

We aim to establish sound foundations and good attitudes, insights and skills and knowledge, that children will be able to carry forward into the next phase of their education. In this way we are striving to ensure the full development of your child, individually, intellectually, socially and emotionally.

The emphasis on this individual approach affects what we teach at Tardebigge and how we teach it. The school is divided into classes according to the number of children on roll. The classes are arranged on a year group basis. Good, positive relationships are enjoyed by all staff, parents and pupils. We pride ourselves on being a 'family' school, all working for the good of each other. Through the love and care we show each other we are striving to make this a 'Church school' in the truest sense of the word.

At the beginning of the school year following their ninth birthday, children proceed to the Middle School stage of their education. For children who live at Tardebigge and Bentley, they normally transfer to Ridgeway Middle School, Astwood Bank, Redditch. Other children often proceed to their nearest middle school, or one of their parents' choice. Some children successfully pass entrance examinations for nearby independent schools.

The Education Reform Act 1988 lays down general principles which must be reflected in the curriculum of all pupils.

The curriculum consists of all those activities planned by schools to promote the development of their pupils and to prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. It also includes aspects that are unplanned - the hidden curriculum.

• To promote broad educational goals, the curriculum needs to be planned as a coherent and continuous whole for all pupils. It should be broad, introducing children to all areas of learning and experience and to knowledge, concepts, skills and attitudes. It should be balanced, giving each area of learning and experience appropriate attention in relation to each other and to the whole curriculum.
• It should be relevant and practical by linking school work to pupils' own experience and making plain the application of what is learned to adult life. It should be differentiated so as to be matched to pupils' developing abilities and attitudes.
• It should give appropriate attention to progression so that the work provided at each stage reflects and builds on that done previously.

Here at Tardebigge the curriculum consists of:

The National Curriculum

In England in a first school the following subjects are included in the National Curriculum at Key Stages 1 and 2. Children in the reception class follow the Foundation Stage curriculum.

• English, Mathematics and Science;
• Art, Design Technology, Information Communication Technology, Geography, History, Music and Physical Education. A modern foreign Language, is taught in year 5/6 at the Middle School.
• Religious Education.

In addition to the National Curriculum, the whole curriculum of this school includes a range of practices to promote:

• good health and personal and social development of pupils
• positive attitudes and values
• an effective involvement with parents and with the community.

The school takes its special needs provision very seriously. The policy is reviewed annually and staff endeavor to work with parents to meet the needs of children. Early identification serves to ensure appropriate provision is sought. Pupils have special educational needs when it is apparent that their pattern of learning is significantly different from the majority of their peers. They may be having difficulties with their learning, or may be very able, and their special needs may be temporary or long lasting. Our SEN teaching assistant works with the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) to address the needs of identified pupils. At Tardebigge we believe every child has the right to be included and feel included. Children are taught in mixed ability classes but staff acknowledge their different abilities. In response to the needs of individual children, class teachers design activities that provide appropriate challenges which are realistic and attainable.

At certain times however additional provision may be necessary and may include :

• advice and support from the schools special needs Coordinator
• a special programme of work (Individual Education Plan - I.E.P.)
• withdrawal from class for tuition either individually or as a member of a small group of children with a similar problem or attribute.
• referral to the Local Education Support agencies.
• Advice or support provided by the Local Education Authority for those children who have been statemented under the 1981 Education Act.

Parents with children who have special educational needs will be consulted and fully involved in all aspects of their child's education.

Complaints

Our school is a welcoming place and parents are encouraged to visit the school to talk with the Head teacher and teachers concerning their children's education and welfare. The Governing Body trust that such visits will solve any problems but affirms the arrangements agreed by the LEA for dealing with complaints about the curriculum.

The children's literacy lessons are based on the National Literacy Strategy. The lessons provide the children with opportunities to develop reading, writing and communication skills.

Drama

This forms part of the curriculum and gives pupils an opportunity to express themselves and explore feelings and experiences.

 

Poetry

This is also an integral part of the language programme here at Tardebigge. Children are encouraged to read and listen to poems and to produce their own poetry.

 

Reading

Children are encouraged to read from a wide range of books available in all classrooms and library areas. Reading schemes are structured in order to give continuity and progression throughout the reading process, thereby producing confident, enthusiastic readers. As well as being an important daily activity, children are encouraged to take books home and to read them to and with parents. We rely on your support in this.

 

Speaking and Listening

Through listening to stories, poems, etc. the children are encouraged to listen attentively and respond as speakers, in group activities, including imaginative play and discussion groups.

 

Written communication

To be able to communicate ideas in a written mode and to interpret written information is of great importance. Through carefully structured experiences, the children are encouraged to develop factual, descriptive and creative writing styles, develop the secretarial aspects of language - spelling, punctuation and handwriting, and further their understanding through comprehension skills. When appropriate, use is made of radio and television programmes, tape recorders and word processors.

 

Science is an important aspect of the children's curriculum. Investigations are central to the teaching of science. Children are encouraged to make predictions, plan investigations, make careful and appropriate observations. It is also of prime importance that children develop their scientific understanding so that they can apply their learning in new situations.

A broad, balanced course of study is presented through themes and topics.

Reception - In the reception class we follow the foundation curriculum. Children will be exploring scientific themes such as similarities and differences, change, colour, investigating how things work, water and living things.

Key Stage 1 - Children will explore ourselves, health and growth, plants and their environment, materials, forces and electricity.

Key Stage 2 - Children will explore materials, keeping warm, rocks and soils, helping plants grow well, habitats, light and shadows, liquids and solids, electricity, forces and keeping healthy.

Children build on past experiences and extend their knowledge and understanding. Children are encouraged to explore their environment. Activities are not confined to the classroom, outside visits are also planned.

Whilst studying science, children are encouraged to develop and use a variety of communication skills and techniques, including those associated with information technology.

The mathematics curriculum is based on the national numeracy strategy.

Mathematics is an important basic skill. Our aim is to help children to enjoy the work, to find it exciting, to help them gain confidence and to realise that mathematics is concerned with problem solving and the recognition of pattern. 

A variety of resources are used to support numeracy learning objectives. These include work with computers, calculators and games, which provide practice in mental and recorded mathematics. We recognise the need for children to learn tables and have a sound grasp of computation. Tasks are matched to the ability of the children.

Mathematics is an exciting, lively and enjoyable subject. We hope that each child will enjoy mathematics here at Tardebigge.

Through geography, children begin to make sense of their surroundings and gain a better appreciation and understanding of the variety of physical and human conditions on the earth's surface.

Children investigate features of their local environment at first hand, and use these experiences when they look further afield, to other parts of Britain and the world.

They gain insight into some of the ways in which people have used and abused their surroundings and also how environmental conditions influence the lives of people here and around the world.

Children learn how to use maps, compasses, atlases and globes. They record data and learn how to interpret it.

Through such activities they build an idea of why the world is as it is and how it changes.

The environment of the school offers superb learning opportunities for children in this subject. Children gain first hand experience of the natural world, using a range of senses and skills. We aim to focus on education in, about, and for the environment. We seek to encourage children to consider their commitment to the environment and to take positive action to help the planet.

The school has its own pond and we are fortunate to be situated in such a rich and unique location. We value this and learn to care for the plants and wildlife in our surroundings.

Our aim is to develop the creative aspect of the subject in every child and also to encourage a visual and aesthetic awareness of the environment, increasing the child's powers of observation and communication. Through studying and evaluating the work of artists, crafts people, and designers, each child has the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the subject.

In Design and Technology, the children are concerned with identifying problems and generating ideas, then producing solutions and evaluating their work. They work with a wide range of tools and materials and cover a variety of topics including structures, mechanics, food technogy and textiles.

Physical education incorporates such areas as games, swimming, gymnastics, athletics, outdoor pursuits, movement and dance. Through experience in these areas, the children will gain body awareness and control which will enable them to develop skills applicable to the whole curriculum.

The main emphasis is to encourage all children to take part readily, safely and promote skill as well as enjoyment in sport. We believe that there should be plenty of opportunities for children of all abilities to become as fully involved as possible in sporting activities. It is important that they leave the school with positive attitudes towards their own personal health and fitness which will benefit them in later years.

The school is a member of the Redditch Sports Association and children take part in inter-school football/skittleball tournaments, sports days and swimming galas. We have been fortunate to have the Bromsgrove Sports Development Team for extra games work to enhance our P.E. curriculum. The school encourages the children to take part in sport out-side of school hours, with clubs for football and netball. We have a fine hard surface playground and a large playing field for all outdoor sports and games. At the present time we use Rigby Hall School gym for our gymnastics and dance programmes, with the LEA providing free transport for Tardebigge children.

SWIMMING

The older children of the school are given the opportunity to learn to swim. The swimming sessions usually take place on a Friday.
Parents of the children who go swimming are asked for 'voluntary contributions' to cover the cost of transport to and from the baths. Please refer to Tardebigge School Governors' Policy for Charging and Remission of Charges for School Activities. Hereford and Worcester County Council pay the fees for using the pool.

The school has a fine record of achievement in swimming. The children take awards at all levels of the A.S.A. Swimming Challenge Awards, from Level One through to Gold Standard. We are concerned that all children should learn to swim not only for their own safety in water, but that so much enjoyment and social activity can be enjoyed through the many varieties of water sports available in our society.

Personal Social and Health Education

PSHE is concerned with developing children's knowledge of themselves as individuals and as members of a family and school. Each year group follows a structured programme that is delivered in a relaxed class room atmosphere.

History

Lessons in history are designed to develop children's interest in the past, to help them understand the modern world; and to show that we are all connected with the past by our own histories.  At Tardebigge we have a variety of resources and use many site visits or guests to enhance children's knowledge. At Key Stage 1 the children cover Old and New, Famous People from the Past, Victorians and Seaside Experiences. At Key Stage 2 they study Romans or Vikings, Local History, Monasteries and the Egyptians.

Citizenship

Children are encouraged to cooperate and contribute to decisions made by staff. They care for the school environment and one another. Each term a Schools Council is elected. The meetings of the council shape lunch time and playtime practice. Children have made suggestions for the improvement of the school grounds.

Music

The school has a proud musical tradition. Each class follows a programme of lessons which assist in the acquisition of listening and singing skills, These are extended by involving the children in performing and composing, with the aid of unpitched and pitched instruments. There is an opportunity for children to play various instruments and take part in singing activities. This opportunity provides an excellent introduction to music, and provides a springboard for future musical achievements. The Worcestershire Instrumental Music Service comes into school to teach flute, clarinet and violin.  Keyboard lessons are taught at an after school club.

Information Communication Technology

Information Communication Technology (I.C.T.) capability is characterised by an ability to use effectively IT tools and information sources to analyse, process, and present information, and to model, measure and control external events. This involves :

• using information sources and IT tools to solve problems.
• using IT tools and information sources such as computer systems and software packages, to support learning in a variety of contexts.

We are fortunate, here at Tardebigge, to be well resourced with computer hardware. We are continually updating our software and all computers have access to our computer systems. In January 2004 an ICT suite will be built.

Religious Education

Religious education has a vital role to play in the full development of the individual and his/her place in society. Through Religious education children learn about the Bible and a variety of other world faiths. They begin to reflect on the views an beliefs of others, ask questions about world issues and think deeply about them. Our school is closely associated with St Bartholomew's Church. Religious education is statutory in all schools; in this school R. E. is in accordance with the Church of England. The work studied in this area is taken from the Hereford & Worcester and the Diocese of Worcester agreed syllabus.

Staff and children come together each day in an Act of Worship The worship takes different forms and the priority is to involve the children and encourage participation, reflection and celebration. The Vicar takes assembly at least once a term. Members of charitable organisations, parents and members of the community often visit the school, and become involved in this Act of Worship.

Through this and through the teaching of the Christian religion, and above all, through the love and care we try to show one another, we are striving to make this a 'church' school in the very best sense of the word.

Being a church school does not, of course, make us 'exclusive' and we are delighted to serve children and families from the community irrespective of their religious beliefs, indeed we hope we can learn and share from one another.

Parents who do not wish their children to receive religious education are entitled to withdraw them from it and should inform the headteacher of their wishes.

Extra-Curricular Activities

In order to encourage children who wish to take their interests further, there are a number of extra-curricular activities which take place after school. These may vary from year to year and operate at the discretion of the staff.

These activities may include many aspects of sport, e.g. soccer, netball, games, recorders, keyboard and choir, D&T, gardening, art and computer club.

Church and School Links

The parishioners and congregation of St Bartholomew's Church show a lot of interest in the work of the school and are involved in many of the school activities. The school has the use of the church for services and use the church to display their work.

Children and parents are invited to attend the monthly Family Service, usually held on the third Sunday of the month at 11.00 am. you are invited to take part in these services by helping to read the lesson and/or by taking the collection.