Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
School Open Days in Suffolk
Updated: 1/9/2015
Moving up to secondary school is a big change in a child’s life. In comparison to the familiar comforts of primary school, the switch to ‘big’ school may, at first, seem a little overwhelming. For a parent, the process of choosing the best school for his or her child can also seem slightly daunting as the decision is such an important one. For many, choice isn’t an issue as catchment area rules determine a child’s secondary school, decided by postcode or feeder school. This situation often applies to rural schools, yet in a city or large town there may be more than one local secondary school in the vicinity, giving parents more choice. If you do have a choice of secondary school, making the right decision can be difficult.
To assist this decision-making process, it will help to gather as much information about each different school as you can, make comparisons, read the school’s prospectus and individual Ofsted reports, review the performance tables online, ask other parents for their opinions and visit the open days or evenings. If your child has dyslexia, dyspraxia or any other additional educational need, search for a school which has a strong special needs provision.
It will certainly pay to visit these schools, meet staff and have a look at other childrens’ work. Try to gauge the culture and environment of the school – does it seem friendly, do the children seem happy, is there a positive vibe among staff? While you are visiting, try to keep an open mind, assess how welcoming the school feels and most importantly trust your instinct - listen to what your gut reaction says...
Another factor to consider is the proximity of the school to your home. Long journeys to and from school can result in tiredness which consequently can lower concentration levels, plus if your child is running late or has forgotten their PE kit it will be easier to transport them to a school that is close by.
Do your research...
- Visit www.education.gov.uk/schools/performance, type in your postcode and a table will appear displaying all the schools within your vicinity featuring detailed information such as GCSE results, number of pupils, percentage of children with special educational needs and pupil absence stats. This table makes it easier to carry out a straightforward statistical comparison between schools.
- Read Ofsted reports about individual schools at www.ofsted.gov.uk
- You can check the catchment area of each school by visiting www.suffolk.gov.uk/CatchmentMaps
- School Preference Advisers are available during term time to help you find out about schools in Suffolk, how to make an application or how to appeal for a school place. You can contact an adviser through the Parent Partnership Helpline on 01473 265210 or by email at parent.partnership@suffolk.gov.uk
- Attend the Open Day of your chosen school. Try to visit other schools to provide comparisons.
Different types of school:
There have been several changes to the education system over the last few years, most notably to the types of school:
Community and Foundation schools and colleges: These are mainstream state run schools funded by the local authority.
Faith schools: Faith schools follow the national curriculum except for religious studies, where they are free to only teach their own particular religion.
Free schools: Free schools are funded by the government but aren’t run by the local authority. The governing body of a free school is able to set pay and conditions for staff, can change the length of school terms and the school day, and can create an educational platform that doesn’t necessarily follow the national curriculum.
Academies: Similar to free schools, academies are publicly-funded, governor-run independent schools that receive money direct from the government, not the local council. Academies don’t have to follow the national curriculum and can set their own term times and school hours, although they still have to follow the same rules on admissions, special educational needs and exclusions as other state schools.
University Technical Colleges: These largely vocational colleges offer pupils the chance to study for technical qualifications in areas such as engineering and construction.
Studio schools: Studio schools deliver mainstream qualifications through project-based learning. Students are able to study work in realistic situations such as healthcare, in addition to learning academic subjects.
Grammar schools: Grammar schools are state secondary schools which are allowed by law to select all their pupils on the grounds of high academic ability. As they are funded by the state, grammar schools do not charge fees. Most children will need to pass 11-plus exams for entry into a grammar school. Competition for places can be very fierce, so some parents hire private tutors to coach their child before his or her 11-plus.
Independent schools: Independent or private schools are not funded by the government and thereby charge fees to attend. They are not compelled to follow the national curriculum although they are inspected regularly. For school reports take a look at www.ofsted.gov.uk or go to the Independent Schools Inspectorate - www.isi.net/reports.
Applying for School Places Online
You can now apply for a primary or secondary school place online. Applying for a place in this way can be more convenient. You are able to complete forms from home, at any time, any day of the week. Applications can be changed right up to midnight on the closing date and the results will be available for you to see online.
Suffolk County Council Applications:
Primary and Middle School Applications:
The online system will be available from the beginning of September 2013 until midnight on Wednesday 15 January 2014.
Secondary School Applications:
The online system will be available from the beginning of September 2013 until midnight on Thursday 31 October 2013.
Admissions:
Suffolk Contacts:
Education helpline: 0845 600 0981
Email: admissions.suffolk@csduk.com
Online applications: www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissionstoschools
Suffolk Schools and Open day dates:
Alde Valley School
Alde Valley School is a school of opportunity where every young person is treated as an individual. It is a complete 11-18 school with an excellent track record of success and has a strong, effective pastoral support system. Students are given the choice of over 20 different subjects to study at GCSE level or equivalent. The school also offers the option to study at the purpose built North Suffolk Skills Academy on courses such as motor vehicle, construction, engineering, hairdressing and catering. Sixth form students are taught at a unique post 16 centre in Waterloo Avenue. Alde Valley School continues to offer its community a quality local school with innovative teaching resources and enthusiastic, dedicated teaching and support staff.
Parents are always welcome to undertake tours of the school with the Headteacher Ian Flintoff by telephoning the school on 01728 830886 or by emailing enquiries@aldevalley.suffolk.sch.uk
Beccles Free School
Beccles Free School is a small school situated in the heart of the community, providing secondary education for Years 7 – 10 (with Year 11 from 2014). Its ethos is founded on high aspirations, progress and achievement for every student, regardless of ability, and high quality pastoral care and enrichment.
Beccles Free School is dedicated to developing a safe, vibrant, successful and student centred place of learning. It believes that its students are capable of truly fantastic things, expects them to achieve their very best and shares high expectations of all. Working with parents/carers and the local community the school intends to fulfil its duty to provide excellent opportunities each of which enables its students to enjoy their learning and excel. It also has high expectations of behaviour and appearance. Beccles Free School wants its students to wear their uniform with pride and conduct themselves in a manner of which they can be proud.
Beccles Free School offers a curriculum that will enable students to flourish academically and lay the foundations for successful progression into post-16 learning. As an inclusive school it has aspirations that all of its students will make progress over and above the national average and it will celebrate the successes of all of its students together as a community.
For more details call 01502 526640 or email enquiries@becclesfreeschool.org.uk or go to www.becclesfreeschool.org.uk
Gosfield School
Deia Sakal, Head Girl at Gosfield School writes:
“Gosfield is a friendly school. Everyone knows everyone, which gives us confidence to achieve our best in lessons and all our other activities. I started in Reception and left at the end of the Upper Sixth, and I can’t think of a better place to have grown up. It is amazing when I look back at all I learned, the friendships I made, and the fun I had. As Head Girl, I was able to give something back to the School that had done so much for me. What makes Gosfield special? It has high academic standards but is able to offer plenty of individual support. It has great facilities that are always being added to, beautiful grounds and the chance to be a boarder. Above all, it’s the people, of course: the pupils we grow up with and the dedicated teachers who bring out the best in us.”
To find out more about Gosfield School go to www.gosfieldschool.org.uk or call 01787 474040
Ipswich School
As the Renaissance artist Michelangelo said: “Every block of stone has a statue inside it, and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it”; finding and developing the talents of pupils is an important part of life at Ipswich School.
Class sizes are small, which means the staff can focus on hard work and achievement. Almost half of Ipswich School’s A level students received A* or A grades in the summer 2012 exams and at GCSE level the results were similarly impressive, with 65% of exams awarded A* or A grades.
Ipswich School’s co-curricular activities outside the classroom are just as important, and help build confidence and team spirit. Pupils benefit from facilities including a concert hall with a Steinway grand piano, an indoor swimming pool and sports hall, plus a purpose built all-weather hockey pitch nearby at Rushmere.
At the school’s boarding house, weekly boarding is encouraged alongside full boarding. The purpose-built Preparatory School provides a supportive happy environment for its younger pupils, whilst they also make use of the senior school facilities.
There’s no substitute for going to see the school in action, so you can see for yourself just what Ipswich School has to offer both girls and boys from 2 to 18. Tours of the school can be arranged on a normal school day; just contact the school on 01473 408300 to make an appointment, or email registrar@ipswich.suffolk.sch.uk
Ixworth Free School
The Seckford Foundation Free Schools Trust has been asked by members of the community of Ixworth to develop an application for a Free School in Ixworth on the site of the Ixworth Middle School. On the 22 May 2013, members of the trust were very excited to be told by the Department for Education that their application to establish Ixworth Free School had been successful.
The proposed Ixworth Free School is planned to be a small school situated in the heart of its community, providing secondary education for Years 7 – 9 from September 2014 (with Year 10 from 2015 and Year 11 from 2016). If opened, the ethos of the school will be founded on high aspirations, progress and achievement for every student, regardless of ability, underpinned by high quality pastoral care and enrichment. For details call 01394 386768 or go to www.ixworthfreeschool.co.uk
Orwell Park School
Set in more than 100 acres of parkland overlooking the River Orwell in Suffolk, Orwell Park provides a broad and balanced education for boys and girls, boarders and day pupils, between the ages of 2½ and 13. A modern, caring and flexible approach sets Orwell Park apart as a forward thinking school, which continues to instil traditional values such as commitment, compassion and courtesy in its pupils.
Orwell Park offers academic challenge to all children and learning support to those who need it. In the classroom, a traditional curriculum is taught, using the most modern methods. The school employs motivated teachers with a passion for their subject; they encourage self-reliance, helping all children in time to take responsibility for their own learning and personal organisation.
The recently opened Pre-Prep building matches in terms of facilities the outstanding education that has been the hallmark of the existing Pre-Prep. The state of the art building is set in its own landscaped area and forms part of the 110 acre site, which includes the main Prep School, a stunning 18th century mansion set in beautiful grounds leading down to the Orwell estuary.
At Orwell Park, children are encouraged to achieve academic success, to be free to play, explore and learn in one of the most beautiful settings in England.
For further details about Orwell Park, call 01473 659225 and speak to the Registrar or visit www.orwellpark.co.uk
Saxmundham Free School
Saxmundham Free School is a small school situated in the heart of the community, providing secondary education for Years 7 – 10 (with Year 11 from 2014). Its ethos is founded on high aspirations, progress and achievement for every student, regardless of ability, and high quality pastoral care and enrichment.
Saxmundham Free School offers a curriculum that will enable students to flourish academically and lay the foundations for successful progression into post-16 learning. As an inclusive school it has aspirations that all of its students will make progress over and above the national average and it will celebrate the successes of all of its students together as a community.
Saxmundham Free School is dedicated to developing a safe, vibrant, successful and student centred place of learning. It believes that its students are capable of truly fantastic things, expects them to achieve their very best and shares high expectations of all. Working with parents/carers and the local community the school intends to fulfil its duty to provide excellent opportunities each of which enables its students to enjoy their learning and excel. It also has high expectations of behaviour and appearance. Saxmundham Free School wants its students to wear their uniform with pride and conduct themselves in a manner of which they can be proud. For more details call 01728 633910 or email enquiries@saxmundhamfreeschool.org.uk or go to www.saxmundhamfreeschool.org.uk