Woods Primary School celebrates year of change

The Governors appointed a new Vice Principal, Mrs Jill Milliken in September. She has settled in quickly and is enjoying teaching P2 and taking on leadership responsibilities.

Pupils have participated in Money week, Science and Technology week and Health Awareness week. These activity weeks helped children to learn in an active and fun way.

In December 2011 a new extension was completed and the P3 class along with Mrs Duncan moved into the new classroom. The room is furnished to a high standard and equipped with new computers and an Interactive Whiteboard.

Woods children benefit from an exceptionally high ICT provision throughout the school including at least five computers and an interactive whiteboard per classroom. This is further enhanced by a small additional computer suite in the Resource Area.

The Principal and governors are committed to developing this good practice further in the future and are continually increasing the school provision.

P4 and P7 children have again achieved a high standard in their CCEA ICT Accreditation which is completed in the school annually.

Growth of the school

Woods Primary School is delighted to be experiencing an increasing enrolment and hope to have a total of 156 pupils in September 2012. This growth is very positive and has enabled them to appoint an additional teacher, making Woods Primary School a seven teacher school with no composite classes. This will reduce their class sizes to an average of 22 and will enable them to provide children with excellent learning opportunities and experiences.

The children are enthralled with the new outdoor play area and garden that have been developed in the school grounds. These facilities along with a large and varied range of outdoor play equipment eg. Sand/water trays, blackboards, scooters and trikes, will assist teachers in developing the curriculum throughout the school both inside and out.

‘Very good’ in all areas of ETI inspection

Woods have recently undergone an ETI inspection which found that; “The school is very effectively meeting the educational and pastoral needs of the children.”

In English and Maths the majority of the children attain very good standards in line or above expectation and children with special educational needs make good progress and attain standards in line with their ability.

At Woods Primary almost all children in the End of Key Stage One and Two assessment results meet, or exceed the expected levels in English and Maths.

Inspectors also commented on the children’s very good behaviour and their positive disposition to school life. They noted the welcoming atmosphere in the school, the very good arrangements for safeguarding children, the very good work in promoting healthy eating and the good work of the Pupil Council in further extending the pupils voice.

The report concluded in the areas inspected, the quality of education provided by Woods Primary School is classified as ‘very good’.

The school community is delighted with this report and continue to strive to achieve the best in everything that they do.

Winners at Woods

Three pupils from the P7 class took part in the SELB Science and Technology Challenge. They designed an Olympic Torch and won first place in the competition.

The pupils will be going to the Sentinus Young Innovators Challenge on the 19 June. We wish them well as they represent the school at this competition.

The Principal and Staff would like to thank the parents and the local community for their support throughout the year. Woods Primary School is a welcoming and caring community with an open door policy.

If you wish to visit the school please contact the Principal. The school will be holding an Open Evening in December 2012 for prospective parents and pupils who will be starting school in September 2014.