About
Welcome to Ponteland Community Primary School
Ponteland Community Primary School (PCPS) has a rich history and a clear vision for providing an exceptional learning environment and opportunities in abundance. In September 2017, PCMS converted to an Academy, and in September 2020, it became Ponteland Community Primary School. From September 2014 to August 2021, Ponteland Middle School operated as a National Teaching School.
Our school is housed in a modern building, which is approximately 40 years old, set on a spacious 15-acre campus. The classrooms, equipped with interactive whiteboards, are arranged around two internal courtyards. We take pride in maintaining well-maintained specialist facilities, including music practice rooms, ICT rooms, design and technology workshops, art studios, food and textiles labs, drama spaces, a science lab, and separate dining and sports halls. Our outdoor facilities feature a well-maintained 9v9 3G pitch, extensive playing fields, a hard play area, and tennis courts. The addition of a 9v9 all-weather artificial turf pitch in Summer 2014 further enhances our sports facilities. As a testament to our commitment to physical education, we have achieved the prestigious platinum sports Gamesmark school award. We firmly uphold our middle school ethos and teaching model, which includes specialist teaching, setting, and a strong focus on learning and well-being.
Our dedicated staff members are passionate about nurturing every child’s intellectual, physical, aesthetic, spiritual, emotional, moral, and social development. They aim to instill a love for learning, foster a sense of satisfaction and achievement, and help each child reach their full potential by developing essential skills, concepts, and knowledge. Our teachers also focus on cultivating reasoning abilities, encouraging questioning and investigative thinking, and promoting critical interpretation of results.
At PCPS, we have clear aims regarding the assessment of pupils’ learning. We strive to record their achievements, diagnose any challenges they may face, and provide effective solutions. Our assessment practices align with best practices in education, incorporating the following key features:
Embracing a 21st-century curriculum that is innovative and enriched
Ensuring assessment methods align with the nature of the learning process
Involving learners themselves in the assessment process to enhance their learning
Facilitating continuity of learning
Effectively communicating progress information to pupils, parents, and the wider educational community
Our teachers and teaching assistants are assigned classes for specific subjects and curriculum areas. Each specialist teacher leads their subject across the school, creating a comprehensive curriculum map that covers all year groups. The quality of teaching at PCPS is rated as excellent, with staff members maintaining high expectations and providing challenging and engaging work. Teachers possess exceptional subject knowledge and utilize their enthusiasm and love for learning to design captivating lessons that inspire pupils to excel. Our curriculum is outstanding, with noteworthy achievements in English, Mathematics, Science, Music, Modern Foreign Languages, Humanities, and Physical Education. Furthermore, a significant number of our pupils actively participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities, making a significant contribution to their achievements, particularly in music and sport.
We believe that parents play a crucial role in supporting their child’s education. We foster a strong partnership with parents, emphasising open communication, support, and collaboration. We greatly value parental contributions through involvement as Friends, active participation in the Parents Forum, and both social and financial support. Our commitment to working with parents and families ensures that every child feels safe, happy, and supported in their learning journey.
Under the leadership of our Headteacher, PCPS boasts a dedicated team of teachers who share a dynamic vision and a strong commitment to enriched teaching and learning. Our leaders, including Trustees, hold themselves to the highest standards and inspire the staff they lead. Their enthusiasm and drive are reflected in the efforts of all
Our priorities
At Ponteland Community Primary School, we embrace the culture of continual improvement. Through rigorous self-evaluation, we have identified four key aspects that we believe are vital for our ongoing development as an educational institution. These areas form the foundation of our growth strategy for the future.
Quality of EducationHolistic Approach to Writing: We have dedicated ourselves to the development and implementation of a comprehensive whole-school writing improvements. By adopting a structured and consistent approach, we aim to nurture our students’ writing skills across all subjects, enabling them to express themselves effectively and confidently. Targeted Academic Support: We recognise that each child has unique learning needs. To ensure that every student can make accelerated progress, we provide targeted academic support tailored to their individual requirements. By identifying areas for improvement and offering personalised interventions, we strive to enable each child to reach their full potential. Further cultivating a Love for Reading: We are committed to building and enhancing our reading scheme. By providing a wide range of engaging and age-appropriate reading materials, we aim to in-still a love for the written word in our students. Through fostering a reading culture, we not only develop their literacy skills but also nurture a lifelong passion for reading. |
Behaviour and AttitudesConsistency in Behaviour Management: We are dedicated to developing and maintaining consistent Behaviour throughout the school. By establishing clear expectations and promoting positive behaviour, we create a safe and respectful atmosphere where all students can thrive. Regular review and refinement of our behaviour policies enable us to address individual needs and maintain a calm learning environment. Strengthening Parental Engagement: We value the partnership between our school and parents, understanding that their involvement plays a crucial role in a child’s academic and personal development. We actively aim to improve parental engagement by fostering open lines of communication through our new newsletter, organising events, and providing resources that support parents in their role as partners in education. By working together, we enhance achievement and well-being. Reviewing Rewards and Consequences: We continuously evaluate and refine the rewards and consequences system within our school. By reviewing these structures regularly, we ensure that they are effective, fair, and promote positive behaviour. Our aim is to create a culture where students are motivated to excel by belonging to one of our four houses. |
Personal DevelopmentAt PCPS, we are actively working towards achieving the Bronze level of the Rights Respecting School Award. This is part of our commitment to promoting and upholding the rights of every child in our school community. To accomplish this, we have embarked on two key initiatives: Development of the RSE Curriculum: We recognise the importance of equipping our children with the knowledge, skills, and understanding necessary to navigate relationships, personal well-being, and societal challenges. As part of this effort, we are actively developing and enhancing our Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum. By ensuring it is comprehensive, age-appropriate, and inclusive, we aim to empower our students to make informed decisions and foster healthy relationships throughout their lives. Prioritising Well-being in Classrooms: We understand the vital role that well-being plays in children’ overall development and academic success. To promote a positive and supportive learning environment, we are dedicated to integrating well-being practices into all classrooms. By providing resources, training, and support to our teachers, we create opportunities for students to develop emotional resilience, self-awareness, and effective coping strategies. Through nurturing their well-being, we believe our students will thrive academically and personally. |
Leadership and ManagementRegularly Updated Subject Leaders’ MT Planning: We maintain up-to-date planning for all subject leaders. This ensures that our curriculum remains relevant and aligned with the latest educational standards, providing an enriching learning experience for our children. Strengthened Teaching and Learning Accountability: We actively collaborate with our trustees to enhance accountability in teaching and learning. By establishing a strong link with our trustees, we foster an environment of transparency and continuous improvement. |
Supporting Professional DevelopmentOur headteacher is currently studying for their National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). This demonstrates their commitment to personal and professional development, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to lead our school towards even greater success. Supporting Staff Development: In line with our mission to improve outcomes for both the school and our students, the headteacher has facilitated the enrolment of four other staff members on NPQ programs during this academic year. By investing in their professional growth, we aim to enhance the overall quality of teaching and learning in our school. We believe that investing in our staff’s professional growth directly translates into maximised learning outcomes for our children. Therefore, we prioritise in-school CPD opportunities for all our staff members. By staying updated with the latest educational research and honing their teaching practices, our teachers are equipped to provide the highest quality education and support to our students. |