Ian Waller visits this popular Bristol School that boasts low class numbers, extensive playgrounds and a rich multicultural pupil base
The excited laughter and sounds of energetic play rising over the walls of Christ Church CE Primary offer a wonderfully welcoming introduction to this Clifton-based school. Just a few minutes from Clifton Village, Christ Church CE Primary is the educational home to local Clifton children from across Bristol and into North Somerset. The school serves children from reception to Year 6, spread over 14 classrooms alongside generous outdoor space and learning zones.
Immediately on entering the school you’re greeted by the bright and spacious learning hub which works as a creative space for breakout groups, to display the pupils’ artwork and ceramics, a library and even an impressive computer studies zone. The airy feel of this area is boosted by the natural light that streams in through the cleverly positioned roof lights, adding a natural and relaxing feel to the environment.
This innovative use of light and space echoes throughout the school, with each classroom enjoying its own direct access to outside space and the playgrounds, as well as allowing parents to drop their children directly off to their classrooms in the morning.
Our guide around the school is headteacher Clare Jones, who shows an undeniable pride in everything that Christ Church CE Primary has to offer. Touring the school with Clare is a process full of regular stops and pauses as she points out the latest displays of children’s work neatly displayed in the corridors, peaks into a classroom to watch the lessons in progress and chats with staff and pupils.
Of course, as with all schools across the country, the last year and a half has been a real challenge, and when the Christ Church CE Primary pupils returned following the lockdowns and summer holidays, it was a situation that needed increased focus and new strategies from Clare and her team.
“It really is good to be back together as a school community, face to face,” says Clare with a smile, before adding, “but it comes with a realisation that after everything that they’ve been through, the children have built resilience and are often challenged by a full week of school. This means we have to rebalance what we offer in terms of the curriculum and what is needed to ensure their wellbeing and to help them to flourish.
“During the inset days immediately before the children came back, the discussion was about being preparing for the unexpected and how we could support vulnerable children, while also appreciating that we’re all vulnerable at some point and need support, even if it’s not immediately obvious.
“We aim for our children to achieve and succeed, both academically and as strong and independent individuals. You sometimes have to look behind the data and appreciate what really matters – and it’s also important that the children know where to turn for help and support.”
That focus on the children’s wellbeing is evident as we continued our tour of Christ Church CE Primary. Each of the lessons is accompanied with a happy murmur of busy children clearly engaged in their lessons, while a glimpse of Deputy Head, Mr Campbell, leading inspiring topical assemblies and engaging the whole school in the weekly Friday Cavalcade, shows that fun absolutely has a place in the school day too. Christ Church CE Primary clearly values a partnership with parents/ carers in their children’s learning journey using online platforms and a weekly newsletter to share what has been happening in school. An active parent teacher association (PTA) organise a calendar of popular social and fundraising events that have provided large outdoor play equipment and the outdoor classroom.
This pastoral support-focused schooling is certainly helped by the small class sizes at Christ Church CE Primary, with the number of children per class ranging from just 22-25. What’s more, alongside Teaching Assistants, the school has a pool of additional booster teachers who provide a multi-faceted back-up role, allowing them to be used wherever they are most needed throughout the school, offering extra support for children, leading breakout groups or supplying a more nurturing role.
Part of this additional support is a keen understanding of the requirements of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and those who arrive at the school with Educational Healthcare Plans (EHCPs). “As a school we are certainly always listening to the needs of our pupils,” said Clare. “For the children with SEN, this might mean one-to-one teaching or being fully integrated into a mainstream class, whichever is best for them. When it comes to EHCPs, we regularly help families with advice and guidance about what we think is best for their children, and we’re fortunate to have an experienced SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) who works in partnership with parents, carers and external agencies.”
“Within our school we have a wonderful multicultural base, with our families speaking 30 different languages,” explains Clare. “It’s great to see how children even with very limited English learn and develop once they are immersed in the English language.”
The school also has a French teacher developing Modern Foreign Language across the school through songs, games and creative activities.
“We’re also part of an informal group of Bristol schools where headteachers and subject leaders share good practice. This has seen us receiving requests from other schools for the best way to support non-English speaking children, something that we have real experience with. As with all children, given the right help and support, they soon pick up the skills they need and are able to flourish.”
The school takes advantage of its cultural location – the children are able to make the most of days out to the green spaces of the Clifton Downs and Bristol Zoo, the historical museums and galleries, and the harbour’s M Shed and SS Great Britain. The school also enjoys close links with its partnered church, Christ Church, with the pastor regularly visiting the school and the church hosting whole school celebrations.
As our tour continued, the children were either looking forward to the home-cooked meals in the dining hall or rushing outside to play with their friends. The grounds at Christ Church CE Primary offer a wonderful range of play opportunities, from climbing frames and seating areas, to sports facilities and courts, plus an impressive outdoor learning area that doubles up as a venue for forest school lessons. Clare explains that the school is open for Breakfast Club and until 6pm each evening to offer After School Clubs for all children, led by Shine Wrap Around Care adding their expertise to the fun.
The children of Christ Church CE Primary school benefit from a wealth of choice for their next stage of their educational journey, both in the maintained and private sector – popular choices include Cotham School, Redland Green School, Cathedral School, Montpelier High School, Clifton College, Bristol Grammar School, Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital, Clifton High School, Badminton School, Redmaids School.
It was a real pleasure to visit Christ Church CE Primary School in Clifton. At a time when many schools will appreciate the challenges faced as a result of lockdowns, home learning and bubbles, alongside the more familiar duties of a busy school, Christ Church CE Primary is somewhere that is continually aspiring to offer the best learning opportunities whilst also ensuring that the wellbeing needs of the children remain paramount.
For more details about Christ Church C of E Primary, click here