Aims
To provide a primary educational experience where children are happy, secure and focused, enabling them to learn in a well-structured environment.
To offer small class sizes to help each individual to fulfil his/her academic, creative and sporting potential - every child will be encouraged to develop individual talents, abilities and personalities in preparation for the secondary stage of their education.
To develop each child’s moral and spiritual well-being, by providing a clear set of values which will enable them to become tolerant, respectful, caring and upstanding citizens, thoughtful and sensitive to the needs of others and caring deeply about the environment and the planet on which we live.
To ensure that the education we provide is rooted in tried and tested educational methods, but which also develops to meet the everchanging needs of people in the 21st century. We embrace new developments in technology which enables children to work and learn more effectively and which provide enjoyment and interest.
To develop an atmosphere at the school where individuality can flourish and yet pupils learn the value of teamwork and co-operation, for the maximum academic and social development of each child.
Ethos
Focus on the individual
Colston Bassett School has a warm caring atmosphere. It is a small school where each child is well known by staff. In this way each child’s academic progress is carefully monitored, his/her personal achievements are noted and celebrated, and his/her personal welfare and happiness are carefully observed and supported.
From the outset, children are taught to have consideration and respect for others. The importance of maintaining the highest moral standards and behaviour at all time is impressed upon our pupils.
Confidence
The school believes that the sensitive nurturing of an individual's confidence is one of the most important factors in laying the foundations for personal happiness and future success in life. Confidence can often grow from positive feedback from both peers and teachers within the classroom environment but may also develop in a variety of other ways.
For example, confidence gained from non-academic subjects and activities can really help to improve academic performance. It is very important to find out what each child enjoys most, to identify what they are good at, or what they are most interested in, and then to encourage and build upon these early signs.
A balanced school life
At Colston Bassett School, we hope to provide a challenging timetable for academically minded children, but we also regard the performing and creative arts as very important and encourage each child to aspire to excel in these areas.
We regard the participation of each child in sporting and outdoor activities as fundamental to that child's personal development and as a very positive way of releasing energy, keeping fit and healthy, teaching the value of teamwork, promoting leadership, risk-taking and character building.
“Learn for life...”
Colston Bassett is an independent primary school. As evidenced by our school motto, we recognise that we represent only one of several key stepping stones along a child’s educational journey through life and therefore a smooth transition to subsequent senior schools is vitally important for us.
We treat each child as an individual and we will help to prepare children for entry to other appropriate schools and aim to provide all of our pupils with a superb start to their education.
Values and Discipline
The ethos of Colston Bassett School is based upon Christian principles. The school seeks to provide its pupils with a clear and strong moral framework, part of which is tolerance of the different beliefs and cultures of others. The school therefore welcomes children from all faiths. The main Christian festivals will be celebrated in a traditional manner, but important religious festivals of other faiths are also discussed and enjoyed. The school has strong traditional values with high moral standards and the fundamental importance of good behaviour and respect for others is impressed upon all of our pupils. A child can only learn properly in a disciplined and orderly school environment.
Our carefully selected highly experienced teachers and staff work with small teaching groups giving each pupil the best opportunity to develop and excel. The school has a positive, ‘can do’ atmosphere, enhanced by an excellent three-way working partnership between child, parent and teacher, vital to the success and happiness of every child.
Benefits of Small Classes
Individual attention
The fewer pupils there are in a class, the more individual attention the teacher can give each child. Our teachers have more opportunities to get to know their pupils, observe how they learn, stretch them academically and support them if they have any weaknesses.
Quieter classes
The more children in a class, the noisier it becomes. This can be a real distraction for some children. A small quiet class is a more positive, less stressful, calmer, and more productive learning environment.
Personalised learning
With smaller class sizes our teachers are able to tailor the way they teach to suit the abilities and learning styles of all the children in the class.
Pupil confidence
Smaller class sizes help build pupils’ confidence. They are unable to 'hide' behind other pupils and are encouraged to contribute their own ideas in lessons. This helps them to feel valued and small groups help children feel less intimidated if they do not understand something and in turn encourages them to become more engaged in their learning.
Educational benefits
At Colston Bassett School, we are committed to the proven teaching and learning benefits afforded by small class sizes and offer this at our school. Small class sizes have been shown to significantly improve the likelihood of each individual successfully fulfilling his/her academic and creative potential. Every child is encouraged to develop their individual talents, abilities and personalities in preparation for the secondary stage of their education.
