Welcome
Welcome from Mrs Helen Kokkinos, Headteacher since September 2009...
Dear Visitor,
Welcome to Valewood Primary School's website which includes information on our Sure Start Children's Centre too.
Valewood Primary School is a one form entry school. A very popular choice with parents and carers, we are always over-subscribed at Reception. Our Children's Centre has been a very welcome addition since April 2010.
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At Valewood, we have an excellent team of staff- both teaching and non-teaching, who provide children with stimulating and exciting learning experiences. We believe this enriches the lives of all within the school and results in a happy place where all are valued and respected.
The school environment at Valewood Primary School is vibrant and active. We are committed to maximising the space we have, both inside school and outside. We are very fortunate to have such bright, modern buildings, set in large playing fields with mature trees and hedgerows. We also benefit from having our own woodland area too.
Since my appointment in September 2009 we have had many exciting, new developments on site...our new Children's Centre which is thriving and is the hub of our local community; we have had a new school roof installed and we are now researching the possibility of solar panels; a brand new, shiny kitchen has been built and healthy, school meals continue to be a very popular choice for all our pupils and staff; an award winning designer has made our grounds come to life with a natural, bespoke play space for all our children - both in the Children's Centre as well as for the children in school.
Over the past two years we have worked on re-vamping our already creative curriculum to include as many first hand experiences for all our children. Visits, visitors and events are planned throughout the year to inspire children, spark their imagination and involve them in their learning beyond the confines of the classroom. Topics and themes are founded on National Curriculum Key Skills and Programmes of Study but typically at Valewood there is always a 'creative twist'! We are proud to be unique and can see how children of all abilities and ages flourish whilst here.
Every child at Valewood has a voice. Since 2010 we have introduced new school committees who are charged with representing their peers and making a difference to the school community and beyond.
- Valewood School Council meets regularly and are made up of two elected members from each class. They arrange fundraising events and discuss whole school developments.
- Valewood's Eco Champions have been working on our 'Park & Stride' initiative with excellent results and work across school to raise the awareness of the importance of sustainability.
- Valewood's Healthy Reps work together to ensure school is a healthy and happy place to be. Initiatives have included looking at well being policies as well as our healthy tuck shop.
- Sports Ambassadors are chosen from Y6 each year and they champion sport in school and beyond within our local and national community.
- We also have a Head Gardener who overseas Gardening Club and is involved with decisions on planting in the school's allotment and year group planters.
- Finally, our very prestigious Valewood Citizen of the Year Award is awarded to one exceptional child in Y6. The recipient of this award is chosen by all the teachers and is held in high esteem by all the children and parents.
The pursuit of excellence is something that we know all our children strive for. Whether it is in academic subjects or in any of our varied, Arts based subjects and extra- curricular clubs. Every child finds something they can exceed in at Valewood. This is what makes our school so special and highly thought of within in our local community.
As ever, we are concerned at all times to work in partnership with parents and carers. We understand that nurturing good home-school links are essential if we are to enable our children to thrive at Valewood. It is our endeavour to work in partnership, so that we may equip our children with the confidence and skills which are essential for positive, life long learning.
We are currently in the process of applying for a number of 'kite marks'...
Rights Respecting School Award- as we champion the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child at Valewood. The study of rights and responsibilities starts in the Children's Centre and goes across all aspects of school life in all our classes and is included in our very successful Out of School Club.
International School Award- we have strong links with Chuan Yi Primary School, Na'nan Province, Chonqing, China and also Ejea Primary School in Spain. We have welcomed visitors from Spain and Turkey most recently and also I have been very fortunate to have taken part in a visit to our partner school in China. Spanish is taught each week at Valewood right from Reception class and we have many events where parents/ carers can get involved e.g. our annual Spanish Days!
We have received our Bronze and Silver Award from ECO Schools and are working towards Green Flag Status.
We have also been awarded our Silver SING UP! Award and are currently working towards Gold Sing Up!
Valewood was one of the first schools in Sefton to be awarded with Healthy School Status.
We received an Outsdtanding Ofsted Inspection in October 2007 and an Outstanding RE Inspection in October 2008. In March 2011, Ofsted wrote to us after completing a succesful 'Interim Assessment', again very happy with the progress and attainment of all our pupils.
Please feel free to contact us, if you would like any further information. Please come and visit us and see it all come to life for yourself!
Thank you for visiting our website.
All best wishes,
Helen Kokkinos
Headteacher
