At Forest, we encourage our learners to develop enquiring minds giving them the independence, confidence and skills to prepare them for their future. ICT is an essential part of everyday life and will continue to evolve as in yet unforeseen ways, therefore we work to create a learning community in which everyone can develop and embrace these challenges. Staff work together to ensure that all children in our care gain the best possible start to school life. In partnership with parents and carers, as well as the wider community, we work to give the children an exciting and stimulating education.
We are very lucky to have a beautiful school building which was completed in 2000. Facilities include a school hall with a separate stage area, a heated indoor swimming pool, two teaching wings - one for the Infants (Key Stage 1) and one for Juniors (Key Stage 2). Outside we have two playgrounds, a football area, a playing field, a nature area and a separate meadow.
We are a trauma sensitive school and as such we aim to be a safe and supportive community that enables both pupils and adults to feel safe, to build caring relationships with one another, to regulate their feelings and behaviour, as well as to learn.
As a school that has adopted the Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA), Forest Primary places the rights described in the articles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) at the heart of our ethos, in order to improve well-being and to develop every child’s talents and abilities to their full potential. There are four articles in the convention that are seen as special. They are known as the “General Principles” and they help to interpret all the other articles and play a fundamental role in realising all the rights in the Convention for all children. Forest Primary has ensured that all school policies are underpinned by the General Principles:
- Article 2 (non-discrimination): The Convention applies to every child without discrimination, whatever their ethnicity, gender, religion, language, abilities or any other status, whatever they think or say, whatever their family background.
- Article 3 (best interests of the child): The best interests of the child must be a top priority in all decisions and actions that affect children.
- Article 6 (life, survival and development): Every child has the right to life. Governments must do all they can to ensure that children survive and develop to their full potential.
- Article 12 (respect for the views of the child): Every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously. This right applies at all times, for example during immigration proceedings, housing decisions or the child’s day-to-day home life.