Headteacher

Bradfield Church of England (VA) Primary School was established at the end of the 19th century to educate the children of families in the rural parish of Bradfield. Today the school serves a large catchment area covering the local villages of Bradfield, Bradfield Southend, Stanford Dingley and Tutts Clump. It is very much at the heart of the community and provides education in a caring environment for children from both in and out of catchment.

The school has many attractions:

• Committed teachers and support staff
• Good school buildings with a number of ‘break-out’ areas.
• Large playing fields and playgrounds
• A very active and highly effective Parent Teacher Association
• A stimulating rural environment

We provide a safe and happy environment that supports the spiritual, moral and social welfare of our 138 pupils.  The children are taught in 7 separate classes, supported by teaching assistants where required. The children in EYFS and KS1 combine for phonics work in similar ability smaller groups.
In keeping with our Christian ethos and values, we view it as very important to ensure, as far as possible, that every child feels themselves to be a valued member of the community.  In particular we do all we can to ensure that all pupils receive the help, encouragement and support that we can give them to achieve their full potential.

The school fully utilises all the space available to provide an excellent range of extra-curricular opportunities.  Sport has been a particular strength of the school and we are keen to preserve this.  We aim to ensure that every child will be offered the chance to represent the school before they leave.  All key stage two children are able to swim once a week for a term each year.  Extra-curricular school clubs and activities include athletics, gymnastics, netball, tag rugby, football, ten pin bowling and quad kids. We also offer other activities covering a wide range of subjects including French, Spanish, Drama, Recorders, Sewing and Choir. A large number of children are also encouraged to learn musical instruments including guitar, violin and cello.

We are committed to developing a rich and stimulating creative curriculum with many opportunities for trips and outdoor days.  We run residential trips for children in Years 4, 5 and 6 to help them to develop personal skills such as independence and taking responsibility.  This continues to be a growth and development area, taking the opportunity to use the changes in the national curriculum to develop new topics with enhanced links across subjects.

Parents, staff and the community work well together to support the school. There are close links with the local church which offers support wherever possible.  An example of the whole community working together was the fundraising undertaken in 2011 by the community to raise £250,000 to help complete the £1.5 million refurbishment of the existing buildings.  We now have a new hall, library, kitchen, PE office, infant play area, classroom, offices and secure entrance.  Fundraising events included spectacular firework displays, auctions of promises, concerts, lambing weekends and individual fundraising efforts and donations.

Since the 2012 Ofsted, standards of attainment and progress have risen dramatically. Our data is above the national average and continues to improve.

We are very proud of all our pupils and staff and their continuous hard work to raise standards. Our current website is under review and does not yet do us justice. However, the most recent inspection reports are available to view there:
Website:  http://www.bradfield.w-berks.sch.uk/westberks/primary/bradfields