Summary

Name
Wren Park Primary School
Address
Jackson Avenue, Derby, Derbyshire, DE3 9AY
School type
Local authority maintained school, ages 4 to 11
Education phase
Primary
Age range
4 to 11
Size
374 pupils enrolled
Website address
http://www.wrenpark.derby.sch.uk (opens in new tab)

About Wren Park Primary School

Wren Park Primary School is housed on an extensive site and was built in 1967 (We fairly recently celebrated the 50th birthday of the school). We have approximately 390 children on roll and the school’s immediate area is mainly an established residential area of housing in Mickleover and Littleover near to the Derby Royal Hospital and there is also there is a mix of privately owner occupied housing as well as private rented accommodation and council housing. The school draws its pupils from wide and varied backgrounds including the immediate area surrounding the school as well as inner-city Derby. We are located on a suburban avenue which becomes very busy at the start and end of the day; we are very close to the Royal Derby hospital. The school is housed in a well-maintained building with 9 classrooms with a further 3 classrooms located away from the main building. We also have a purpose built Foundation Stage area which is well equipped and with access to a fabulous outdoor area. The extensive grounds include playing fields and nature area, large trim trail area and playground. Each class within school is single age group and below 30 – we have 2 classes per year group.
The pupils have diverse backgrounds, abilities and aptitudes that bring richness and challenge to the school and create an enjoyable and rewarding community. The majority of the pupils are of white British origin and 32% of the pupils come from other ethnic backgrounds, mainly Indian and Pakistani, almost all of whom speak English as their first language. The proportion of pupils with Special Educational Needs is approximately in line with the national average with six children currently with and EHCP. We currently have 29 Pupil Premium children and 9 children who are LAC or post adoptive. The majority of the children come from very supportive families. We have a number children with complex emotional and behavioural difficulties (approximately 20 currently) who are well supported by staff. The vast majority of children are keen to learn, behave well and have developed good relationships. Our very recent return to full schooling following school closure due to Covid has been very positive in the main without significant issue but with inevitably some “lost ground” in children’s progress and attainment.

All the Reception children are admitted at the start of the academic year in which they become five. The children start school with varied pre-school experiences and attainment on entry is broadly in line with national averages. Wren Park Primary School is inclusive in all aspects and we encourage the children to participate fully in school life. There is an active school council and this is one way in which pupils can share opinions and help to inform decisions. Our main aim is to provide all our children with the opportunities to be highly-motivated, independent and skilled learners while maintaining their individuality. We believe that every child deserves the best we can offer and that we should concentrate our efforts on being child centred, and we encourage them in all that they do and support their relative achievements. First and foremost our priority is to serve the children with a high standard of educational experience and it is our privilege to have a positive impact upon their lives and future self- confidence.
The school attracts staff of high calibre and is very well served by the various members of staff who offer individual strengths and interests for the children’s benefit. The teaching complement is currently a Headteacher, Deputy Head, Assistant Head and 12 full-time teachers and 2 part-time teachers. The non-teaching staff comprises of one School Business Manager, one systems support officer and 10 Teaching Assistants. In addition we currently have additional TA’s employed on an agency basis to help support individual children with specific needs and to add to our usual compliment to support children in the classroom following the children returning to school in March 2021. We employ cleaners, a Caretaker and a number of midday supervisors. The school retains its staff well and staff members leave the school mainly for promotions, the three previous Deputy Headteachers have secured their own headship positions and there is a positive track record of staff progressing their careers within school- both the current Deputy Head and Assistant Head have been internal appointments. We do however retain a very positive outlook and seek to work in partnership with others. There is an exceptional commitment to pupils by all staff and there is a very strong sense of teamwork and team ethos amongst the staff. Wren Park is a place where staff can thrive, be confident, have a voice and be creative. A happy and relaxed staff with positive attitudes and a willingness to try and make things work well is at the heart of our ongoing success. We value everyone’s talents and contributions and we respect everyone as equals regardless of experience.
The school enjoys strong, practical support from our parents and the wider community, who hold the school in high regard. The trials and tribulations of Covid lockdown and long periods of home schooling have in many ways brought us closer together for the mutual support of each other and for the benefit of the children. The school has fostered positive links with parents, neighbouring schools, community groups, Derby Royal Hospital and many organisations and individuals. Parents work regularly in school and help in many different ways. We have a careers week where parents come and talk to the children about their jobs and they join us for trips. We have some parents who run an “Imagineers” science and engineering activity for all Y5 children. Indeed the functions better because of the partnership with parents. There is normally a thriving Parents’ Association whose primary function is fund-raising in support of the school but this has currently postponed its work in light of current restrictions. We actively seek the views of all our stake-holders and always act on the findings about their views. We believe that we can only continue to be the best we can be by recognising that there is always room for improvement and by listening to and acting upon children, parents and staff views.
At Wren Park we are committed to a broad, balanced curriculum where learning and teaching take place in a happy, stimulating environment in a variety of ways. There is a strong emphasis on all aspects of English and Maths. Cross curricular work is well-developed, enabling the children to acquire a variety of skills in meaningful ways. Specialist expertise, both within and beyond the school, is drawn upon to enhance aspects of the curriculum, especially in topics and sports. Day visits and extended visits for years 4, 5 and 6 are common due to the financial support from parents. A collegiate approach is adopted in the school and the staff is experienced in team planning, assessment and evaluation. Extra curricular opportunities are given in a wide variety of sports as well as in the creative and performing arts.
We are very fortunate to have the support and encouragement of our school governing board. They are a hardworking group who bring a wealth of expertise and experience to the school and who are motivated by the desire to maintain and improve all aspects. They are well aware of the school’s strengths and areas for development and they offer challenge and support to the school in a very professional way. Some Governors are involved in the daily life of the school, for example, several governors work regularly in school.
We are collectively very proud of our school. We believe it is a place where children thrive and develop skills and attitudes which will equip them well for their future. We place children’s experience and outcomes at the heart of what we do. Governors role is one of strategic overview and holding school to account, they do not get involved with the day to day running of the school and that responsibility lies with the headteacher.

In February 2010 we were judged by OFSTED as an outstanding school, whilst we are again very proud of this we continue to strive to provide even better experiences, support and opportunities for our children. In March 2019 we received a Section 5 Monitoring Inspection and we retained our Outstanding Grading. Whilst the current grading is that we are Outstanding however we believe that as frameworks have changed we have also improved but our profile is more represented of a good school.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Location and map

Jackson Avenue, Derby, Derbyshire, DE3 9AY

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