The Area

The school is situated at the centre of Gillingham just south of the High Street close to the Municipal Buildings. The property in the area consists mainly of terraced houses that have been or are being modernised. Gillingham is one of the Medway Towns. It lies within easy reach of the A2/M2 motorway from London to Dover. The good access to the motorway has seen Gillingham develop as a commuter town for London and this has led to a vast expansion of new housing on the outskirts of town.

The School

The School is housed in two buildings but four sites. One building was built in 1903, the other previously housing a secondary school, was adapted and taken over in 1978. The other part of the building was Gillingham Heritage Centre until January 1992. In 1996 a new two classroom extension was built. The school has 22 classrooms and two halls, both of which are used for P.E., assemblies and dining purposes. The school has a pre-school group using the premises every morning. The group has 24 pupils and there are close links with the work of Year R classes.

Roll and Staffing

The roll for Spring term 2001 will be 600. The authorised staffing establishment for the academic year 2000 is Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, 22 teaching staff and one full-time SENCO. The school currently has four Phase-Co-ordinators on three responsibility points and Year Group Co-ordinators and Core Subject Co-ordinators on one responsibility point. There are two clerical assistants, one employed for 37 hours and the other for 21 hours per week. There are 10 classroom assistants and 9 Learning support assistants. In addition the school has 14 mid-day meals supervisors, one senior mid-day meals supervisor, four kitchen staff, two road crossing patrol persons and a full time caretaker.
The twenty-two classes are arranged as three per year group plus a music room. 
The school has positive behaviour and lunchtime supervision policies. Class Council and School Council contribute significantly to the life of the school.

The Curriculum

The school has the qualities that come from being a 'family school'. Admitted at 4 years of age a child remains until the age of 11. Methods of teaching are adapted for the individual needs and the curriculum of the school is structured on the basis of a number of broad aims which seek to ensure that every child realises his or her full potential within the framework of the National Curriculum. Numeracy and Literacy Hour have replaced other reading and maths schemes. A variety of other learning experiences in Art, ICT, RE, Citizenship, Music, Drama, DT, Science and P.E. are used to stimulate the children's creativity. History and Geography are taught and tend to be subject based and in blocked periods of time.
Year 4 children attend the Black Lion Swimming baths once a week for tuition. Residential trips have formed part of the wider educational development of the children for a number of years. This year there is a residential trip to Swattenden for Year 3 & 4 and a trip to Dorset for Year 6.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Various club activities take place during the year e.g. Football, drama, recorders, IT, art and French club. 
The Computer Suite is linked into the internet and every member of school has an e-mail address. Staff receive a payment for running any extra-curricular activities, homework and booster clubs. 

Links with Parents

There is a P.T.A with a working committee meeting at least twice a term. All parents and teachers are automatically members of the Association.

School Meals

About 75% of the children have a school meal or packed lunch. Meals are provided from the kitchen on the premises.

Governing Body

The Governing Body comprises of 16 members, including 5 parent, 2 teacher and 1 non-teacher Governors. The Headteacher is a member of the governing body.

Secondary Education

Under the Authority's Procedure for Entrance to Secondary Education, children transfer according to their ability, at the age of 11, to either selective or non-selective Secondary Schools. 
The current pass rate for grammar school education is 29% of Year 6.

 Gillingham Partnership

The school has been part of the Education Action Zone since January 2000. Major projects financed by the partnership are as follows:

1. National project on Formative Assessment co-ordinated by Shirley Clarke from Institute of Education, London University.
2. To develop Curriculum 2000 with a community education perspective (e.g. Involving community and local business in the work of the school).
3. Breakfast Club
4. Funded extra-curricular activities, homework clubs and booster classes.
5. School Counsellor and Speech Therapist.
6. Four advisory teachers working alongside of teachers in schools.
7. Adult mentors
8. Many other exciting initiatives.