Hayesdown is a ‘first’ school that currently has 292 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 took place to provide us with an outstanding building that affords well-designed, attractive and spacious accommodation for learning.
In September 2017, driven by parent preference, the school expanded from nine to ten single year group classes. As well as ten classrooms we have a hall, library, ICT suite, large staff room and a separate brick building that is used for many activities including a breakfast club, lunchtime club, after school provision “The HUB”, and a Nurture Group that runs four afternoons per week. Our Nurture Group (Sunflowers) is highly regarded; 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 an outdoor learning area for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Our outdoor spaces make an important contribution to teaching and learning and are maintained by community volunteers and staff who are keen to provide children with opportunities to learn outdoors. We have a dedicated Eco Committee that has supported us to earn the Silver Eco Award and are currently working towards the coveted Eco Schools Green Flagship Award.
Frome Opportunity Nursery operates from a building on the school site. We have strong links with the Nursery to the benefit of children and their families.
In September 2013 Hayesdown First School became an academy within The Bath and Mendip Partnership Trust. We work closely with other schools in the Trust, sharing expertise and approaches to curriculum excellence as well as back office services that contribute to the smooth and efficient running of the school. Hayesdown is also a member of the Frome Learning Partnership where staff and children from 17 schools located in and around Frome participate in joint activities and developments that enhance children’s learning experiences.
Hayesdown was recognised as a ‘good’ school by Ofsted in December 2018. There is a strong team spirit amongst staff and governors who welcome and embrace professional development and are keen to move the school ever closer to an ‘outstanding’ education organisation. The children are welcoming, parents/carers are extremely supportive and staff and governors are positive and upbeat.
Our curriculum has at its core:
Hayesdown First School Ofsted report 2018
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, 2015 and 2018) 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:
Our School Values
Our school values were developed by staff, children, parents and governors to underpin this vision. Children have a clear understanding of what they mean and they are reflected in everything we do at Hayesdown First School. Not only are they highly visible through displays, but they are also shared and celebrated during lessons, assemblies and in our school newsletter.
Hayesdown First School will work with children to enable them to:
Mission for the School
Every child will achieve, by having access to: