Waterside Primary School opened in January 2007 and is a new building set within an area of regeneration. It is anticipated that pupil numbers will increase as local housing development is completed. The school has many Eco features, including a wind turbine, recycled rainwater and solar panels. The grounds which are currently being developed are surrounded by fencing and gates which were designed by the pupils and have won a design award. As the site develops the children will have access to a sports field and a large playground area, that incorporates an outdoor classroom and a pagoda in which lessons can take place.
The school is a two storey building and feels spacious with its wide corridors. The foundation unit is on the ground floor and has its own play space. Key Stage 1 classes are adjacent and KS2 is on the upper floor. There is a range of resource bays and library on the first floor which can be accessed by a lift.
The atmosphere within the school is calm and peaceful and staff and pupils have excellent working conditions. Each classroom has a Promethean whiteboard and there is a computer room for whole class use. Every class has a welcoming environment, each placing emphasis on using displays to support learning. The school is an ISP+ school and benefits from assessment procedures set within the ISP framework. From September 2007 the school will be adopting the ‘Creative Learning Journey’ approach to delivering the curriculum, although literacy and Numeracy will stand alone in line with the Primary Frameworks. Science will be taught separately in Y5 & Y6.
Waterside Primary School’s most recent OFSTED inspection 2008 states that:
- Good leadership and management have led to considerable improvement in teaching quality.
- Teaching quality is good in all classes.
- Many lessons sparkle.
- Humour is a very marked aspect of the work and pupils say their lessons are fun.
- Classrooms are inviting places to work and display is used to set targets and to share and celebrate good achievement.
- A key strength is the effective partnership between teachers and teaching assistants in ensuring that pupils’ work is matched fully to working levels and is challenging enough.
- There are many out of school activities and visits that enhance the work of the pupils and contribute to their raised achievement.
- The school has an almost unique partnership with Glyndebourne Opera, which makes an outstanding contribution to pupils’ cultural awareness.
- Pupils who speak English as an additional language work hard and are as successful as other pupils because their needs are met effectively.
- Pupils’ contribution to their own, and the wider, community is good.
- The children in the foundation stage make good progress because their needs are met effectively.
- Learning is good because pupils have positive attitudes, work hard and collaborate well with others.
- Pupils are polite and considerate and listen well to teachers.
- Behaviour is good on the whole and behaviour management is effective..
As our mission statement says,
‘Creating an enjoyable learning journey, celebrating success in a caring community’.
We can offer:-
- A dedicated, hardworking and caring team
- A fully involved and supportive governing body
- A positive climate to develop new initiatives and ideas
- Enthusiastic, well behaved and hard working pupils
- Supportive parents
Headteacher: Mrs Hilary Pickin
Waterside Primary School
Eastwood Road
Hanley
Stoke on Trent
Staffordshire
ST1 3JS
