Welcome

Dear Families and Visitors,

I am delighted to warmly welcome you to Penn Wood Primary and Nursery School and invite you to browse our school website to find out more about our wonderful school community. We hope this provides an exciting and informative insight into life here at Penn Wood and the truly exceptional environment for learning and very special community where we grow and achieve together.

Our unique and innovative building and beautiful outdoor provision includes

bespoke play spaces, a woodland, playing fields and a tranquil pond area. Our peaceful environment provides great opportunity for reflection, thoughtfulness and a chance to connect. Children of all ages explore a range of places for learning and play and develop their ideas, cooperate with others and learn safely alongside nature, as they spend their school days enjoying a varied and happy education. Our central courtyard is home to the 'Tree of Life', a magnificent symbol of growth at the heart of our school. It stands firm over us and grows strongly from deep foundations. Like our children, the tree started as a tiny seed and flourished, becoming deeply rooted in and connected to our community. The tree, also a welcoming home to wildlife, reminds us that we grow together from strong roots, branch out with the support of each other and gain wings to fly. 

Our dedicated, stable and highly-effective staff team have the highest expectations for the learning and behaviour of all children and for their own professionalism. The experienced and skilful Board of Governors work closely with leaders to steer the school and our talented staff team work hard to realise the Penn Wood vision: 'Better Never Stops'. 

As a community of learners, we have the highest expectations of every individual at Penn Wood in all we do. Relationships are central to this, based on the value of each person and what they bring to our school. We recognise every learner's personal, social and learning capacities and respect the varying ways in which children might prefer to learn. Teachers and teaching support staff lead, assist and encourage each and every child to meet their potential and look for possibilities to ensure all achieve their very best. 

Our core values of Community, Kindness, Respect and Excellence are reflected in the kindness and strong sense of belonging which includes everyone here at Penn Wood. Our ethos encompasses the fundamental British values of Democracy, the Rule of Law, Individual Liberty and Mutual Respect and Tolerance for those with Different Beliefs.  We foster a deep sense of respect in all and of all to create an inclusive and respectful community. In addition to this, our well-being curriculum promotes the very strongest behaviours for learning, strength of character and develops each and every one of us to be the best we can be. 

The Penn Wood curriculum is innovative, broad and balanced and aims to develop children as confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors to the world. Through a love of learning, we ensure that each child becomes a confident and responsible individual, well-equipped with transferable skills that are required to succeed in everyday life and an understanding of how they can learn more and remember more. 

Literacy (speaking, listening, reading and writing) is central to our curriculum and our children are encouraged to become confident speakers and careful listeners with an emphasis on vocabulary and oracy. Early language and an early love of reading and books are prioritised at Penn Wood so that children develop a deep excitement about words, texts and stories. At Penn Wood, we believe that books open a world of possibilities, build imaginations and equip children with the language and vocabulary to become confident, competent storytellers themselves. High-quality books drive our curriculum and the school's strengths in reading and writing are underpinned by a long-standing commitment to the work of Pie Corbett's 'Talk for Writing’ and ‘Talk for Reading’ approaches. We are extremely proud to be a Talk for Writing Training Centre. 

Our curriculum offers learners in all year groups a deep and rich education in the full range of subjects in the Primary National Curriculum and beyond and strives to to lay the foundations for every child to go on to realise their potential and make a positive contribution to their community, identifying and developing their own passions and interests. Specialist teaching is provided in music, drama, science and Physical Education and the professional learning of our staff team is paramount in ensuring that children receive the best teaching possible in all subjects. We are proud of the achievements our children gain and the strong standards which we continue to build on.

Penn Wood is a warm, caring and secure environment for your child and safeguarding our children and staff is hugely importance to us.  There is a large team dedicated to the well-being of all, supported by our Governing Board. Work with families, to ensure that every child flourishes, is led by a dedicated Inclusion team, SEND team and Attendance team, as well as members of the leadership team. Leaders are always happy to meet and to help in any way possible. All staff can be contacted via the school office and we will try our very best to find the best ways forward with you. 

We wish you a warm welcome to Penn Wood Primary and Nursery School. Thank you for visiting and we look forward to working in partnership with you. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office where our friendly and helpful admin team will be pleased to welcome and assist you. 

With all best wishes,

Claire Fletcher
Headteacher