Welcome from Katie Henson, our Headteacher

Our school is a happy, welcoming place. Our staff are highly skilled, enthusiastic and all put the needs of our children at the forefront of their daily work. Everyone at St. Andrew's is encouraged to show respect, to always strive to do their best and to treat others as they would wish to be treated themselves. Our TERRIFIC Christian values enable our children to develop their own beliefs and spirituality in a sensitive and inclusive environment. We have close links with our local parish of St Andrews, North Weald.

Our school has a long history dating back to 1678. The current refurbished buildings were opened in the mid 1960s. These include a Library, Special Educational Needs resource base, Sensory room, Swimming Pool and spacious hall with stage. The School has access for disabled pupils. The grounds have playing fields and playground areas providing excellent facilities for sport. Classrooms are well equipped for whole class and group teaching and learning. A further extension in 2016 provides accommodation for our Key Stage 1 classes and a fabulous Early Years Unit.

We have a Pre-school with places for 16 children providing 30 hours. They have a separate unit but feel very much part of the School and are well prepared to join the Reception Class in September.

In designing our curriculum, we have worked to together to describe a St Andrew's Child. This shows us the child we wish to leave us in Year 6, enabling us to plan a curriculum to achieve this aspirational goal for every child in our school. Care is taken to regularly track pupils' abilities and progress to help them reach their full potential and discover talents. Intervention programmes and booster sessions are organised to enable all children to excel and those with Special Educational Needs are sensitively supported by a team of experienced staff, including 2 learning mentors and a 'Drawing and Talking' practitioner.

Our Curriculum is enriched by a variety of school trips and visitors.

Our Staff and Governors strive to achieve increasingly high standards in all aspects of School life and are committed to involving Parents in this process. We recognise that your child is very precious and that there needs to be a joint responsibility between home and school, based on mutual trust and understanding.

Do please come and see our school in action; we love our school and hope that you will too. Appointments can be made by contacting the school office and you will be made to feel very welcome.

Katie Henson, Headteacher