Why Norwood?
A happy, ambitious school where every child is known
Choosing a primary school is one of the most important decisions a family makes. Your child will spend seven formative years at their primary school: building relationships, developing confidence, discovering their interests and establishing the foundations for future learning.
At Norwood, we believe that children only get one chance at their primary education. We are committed to making that chance the very best it can be.
We want every child to feel safe, happy and known; to achieve as highly as possible; and to enjoy opportunities and experiences that help them develop into confident, responsible and compassionate young people.
One school from Reception to Year 6
Norwood is an all-through primary school. Children join us in Reception and remain part of the same school community until they leave for secondary school at the end of Year 6.
This continuity enables children to build lasting friendships and strong relationships with the adults who teach and care for them. It also allows our staff to develop a detailed understanding of each child as they progress through the school.
Transitions between year groups and key stages take place within one familiar community. Children grow up together, becoming increasingly confident and independent while retaining the security and sense of belonging that come from being part of Norwood.
The opportunities of a large school with the relationships of a family
Norwood is a large, three-form-entry primary school, and we are proud of the opportunities this provides.
Our children benefit from a large team of adults with different expertise, experiences and talents. They learn alongside a diverse group of friends and can participate in a broad range of clubs, sport, music, the arts, outdoor learning, visits, enrichment and pupil leadership opportunities.
However, we never want Norwood to feel like a large institution.
Children should be known. Families should be known. Relationships should matter.
The relationships between children, families, staff and leaders are at the heart of our school. We want parents and carers to know the adults who teach and support their children, to feel comfortable talking to us and to be confident that we share the same ambition for their child.
A strong start in Reception
Starting Reception is an exciting and important milestone. Our priority is to help every child feel safe, settled and confident as they begin school.
We take time to get to know each child and their family. Through carefully planned transition arrangements and regular communication, we aim to make starting school a positive experience for everyone.
Our Reception curriculum provides purposeful opportunities for children to learn, explore, create, talk, listen, play and develop independence. Children build their early knowledge and understanding through a balance of adult-guided learning and carefully planned provision.
Particular importance is placed on:
developing children’s communication and language;
building positive relationships and learning to work with others;
developing confidence, independence and self-regulation;
establishing a love of stories, books and reading;
teaching phonics systematically so that children learn to read;
developing secure early mathematical understanding;
strengthening children’s physical development;
encouraging curiosity, creativity and enjoyment of learning.
Reception is the beginning of a carefully connected journey through Norwood. The foundations established during this first year prepare children for Year 1 and for their continuing education across the school.
High expectations and strong foundations
We make no apology for having high expectations. We believe that excellent relationships, happiness and academic ambition should go hand in hand.
We want every child to develop secure foundations in reading, writing and mathematics, alongside rich knowledge and understanding across the wider curriculum. Teachers carefully build learning over time, check what children understand and provide additional support or challenge when it is needed.
Whatever a child’s starting point, we want them to make strong progress and achieve as highly as they possibly can.
Our three school rules help create a calm, positive and purposeful environment in which everyone can learn:
Be Ready
Be Respectful
Be Safe
These simple expectations are explicitly taught and consistently reinforced. They help children understand how to make positive choices, treat others well and contribute to our school community.
An inclusive school for every child
Every child is different. Children arrive at school with different strengths, experiences, interests and needs, and our responsibility is to help each of them flourish.
We are committed to identifying children’s needs early, working closely with families and providing effective support. This includes children with special educational needs and disabilities, disadvantaged children and those who may experience other barriers to their learning or wellbeing.
Inclusion does not mean lowering expectations. It means understanding children well, making appropriate adaptations and providing the support they need to participate, succeed and belong.
More than academic achievement
A successful primary education cannot be defined by test results alone.
Academic achievement matters enormously because it opens doors for children’s futures. However, children also deserve opportunities to explore, perform, compete, create, lead, play and discover.
Through the curriculum and wider school life, we want children to:
develop strong friendships and positive relationships;
discover interests and talents;
build confidence and resilience;
learn how to listen and contribute;
disagree respectfully and value different perspectives;
take responsibility and make positive choices;
understand how to keep themselves and others safe;
contribute to their school and wider community;
develop memories they will carry with them long after leaving Norwood.
Our values of Aspire, Respect and Enjoy capture the childhood and education we want for every Norwood pupil.
Preparing children for what comes next
From their first day in Reception, we are preparing children for their next stage—not only academically, but personally and socially.
By the time children leave Norwood, we want them to be safe, happy, confident and successful. We want them to have secure knowledge and skills, high aspirations and a strong belief in what they can achieve.
Most importantly, we want them to be considerate, responsible young people who are ready for secondary school and prepared to contribute positively to modern Britain.
Working in partnership with families
Parents and carers know their children best. We therefore see education as a partnership between the child, their family and the school.
We are committed to open, respectful communication and want families to feel welcomed and involved throughout their child’s time at Norwood. When school and home work together, children receive the encouragement, consistency and support they need to thrive.
Come and experience Norwood
A website can provide useful information, but it cannot fully capture the people, relationships, warmth and energy of a school.
We warmly invite prospective families to visit Norwood during the school day. You will have the opportunity to see our children learning, meet members of our team, explore the school and ask any questions you may have.
Come and discover what makes Norwood such a special community—and how we can help give your child the very best possible start to their education.
Arrange a visit to Norwood
Please contact the school office to arrange a visit or to find out more about applying for a Reception place.
Telephone: 01704 211960
Email: [email protected]
You can also visit our Reception Admissions page for information about applications, important dates and starting school.