Welcome

Welcome to Shirehampton Primary School’s website.  I do hope you find the information on this site useful, whether you are a prospective parent choosing a school or one our existing parents.  If you are one of the latter thank you for letting us get to know and teach your child – they are all very special!

I have been Headteacher at Shirehampton Primary School since September 2008, after deciding that I wanted a different challenge to that of being Headteacher of a small village school in North Somerset.  I’m passionate about ensuring that all pupils in my care receive high quality education that enables them to thrive, develop a life-long love of learning and believe they can achieve anything they want in life.

Presently we have nearly 500 amazing children attending our school!   At Shirehampton we pride ourselves on our ‘open door’ policy; fantastic and hardworking staff and Governors plus extremely supportive parents.

The school is very well respected within the North Bristol community for its caring, inclusive and welcoming atmosphere.   Everyone involved with Shirehampton Primary is focussed upon high standards and there is a special team spirit committed to developing the whole child by ensuring learning is fun, children feel safe, self-esteem is high and everyone is happy.  We strongly believe in having appropriate challenge for pupils within the core subjects and pupils are set in Mathematics from Year 1.  The teachers in each phase work closely together in their planning and are very supportive of each other.

Shirehampton Under 3’s School registered in 2013.  The provision operates from within a designated room attached to the main Nursery within Shirehampton Primary School.

Children have access to an outside play area that leads directly from the play room.  The provision is governed by the school.  The provision opens Monday to Friday Term time only and operates separate morning and afternoon sessions from 8.45am to 11.45am and 12.15pm to 3.15pm each day.  The provision registered on the Early Years Register and offers care to children aged between two and three years.  The provision employs two staff who work directly with the children but are supported by additional staff who work within the main nursery, if required. Staff hold appropriate qualifications in Early Years and childcare. 

We have a rich, creative and experiential curriculum, which makes learning relevant and irresistible for our children and their families particularly when everyone comes together for our ‘Family Challenge’ activities.  Our skills-based learning is designed to equip children with the key skills they will need to be successful in their lives going forward, as well as provide many first-hand experiences and whole school trips.

We recognise working in partnership with parents is crucial to children’s learning experience and we work hard to develop strong home school links and provide support where it is requested; this has been enhanced by our Parent Council.  Feedback has also proved our ‘Open Mornings’, where parents/carers can come into the school and see how the children learn and how the teachers inspire them, are highly valued.

Ofsted reports and school websites are all very important but there’s nothing better than seeing a school first-hand.  At Shirehampton Primary School, we have so much more to offer.  So do give us a ring, an email or just drop by to arrange a chat with me and to see the school and its staff and pupils in action.  I promise you will not be disappointed! 

Being Headteacher at Shirehampton is an absolute privilege and one that I know I’m going to relish for many years to come on our journey to becoming an outstanding school.  After all, it’s what the pupils, their families and the local community deserve.