Hayesdown is a ‘First’ school that currently has 266 children on roll from the ages of four to nine. The school was built in 1973 and is situated amongst residential housing on the outskirts of the town of Frome. In 2010 significant renovation was undertaken to provide us with an outstanding building that affords well-designed, attractive and spacious accommodation for learning. We have nine classrooms, a hall, library, ICT Suite, large staff room and a separate original brick building, which was once used as a classroom. This is now used for many activities including a breakfast club, lunchtime club and a Nurture Group that runs each afternoon. Our Nurture Group (Sunflowers) is highly regarded and its work has been recognised by the National Quality Mark for Nurture.
The school also boasts superb outdoor facilities. We have a large playground, extensive sport field, raised vegetable beds that thrive under the children’s care, a Peace Garden, an environment area with a pond and a newly designed outdoor learning area for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Our outdoor spaces make an important contribution to teaching and learning and are well maintained by community volunteers and a team of staff who have particular interest in providing children with opportunities to learn outdoors.
Hayesdown Nursery operates from a designated space in the school building. The Nursery is soon to become a Charitable Company within the Fosse Way Trust. The Bridge Children’s Centre is also situated on the school site. We have strong links with both organisations, to the benefit of children and their families.
Hayesdown First School is a member of the Frome Learning Partnership where staff and children from 17 schools located in and around Frome, participate in joint activities and share expertise to support children’s learning.
We have eleven teachers one of whom is also our Deputy Head, a Headteacher, two administration staff and thirty support staff. We have an active and supportive PTA called ‘Friends of Hayesdown Children’.
Following inspection by Ofsted in November 2012 the school was placed in special measures. A robust improvement plan was implemented and all staff and governors showed strong commitment to its implementation. Notable progress in improving the quality of teaching and raising attainment was made and the School was pleased when this was recognised by Ofsted in April 2015. Hayesdown First School is an academy within The Partnership Trust. This is a result of the school being placed in special measures in November 2012 and Fosse Way School kindly agreeing to sponsor Hayesdown First School, working in partnership with us to ensure that children are provided with high quality teaching that enables them to make good progress.
The school’s ethos and culture serve to celebrate difference and diversity and create a climate in which everyone knows themselves to be valued for their distinct and individual skills, attributes and resources. Ofsted inspectors (2012 and 2015) identified the fact that the values, beliefs and attitudes the school promotes, ensure that all pupils are included, well looked after and develop important personal skills.
Through our curriculum we aim to engender a sense of community and belonging and to offer new and exciting opportunities to all learners. Staff and governors have adopted the following vision for the school:
“STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE TOGETHER”
Aims for the Pupils
Hayesdown First School will work with children to enable them to:
Mission for the School
Every child will achieve by having access to: