School Information and Values

'At Sheldwich Primary School we believe in achieving consistently high standards of work and behaviour in a happy and caring environment'.

We are proud of our reputation as a friendly, caring and welcoming school and our aim is that all our children should be happy and successful during their time here. We are a one form entry academy school with seven classes in the main school (ages 5 - 11) as well as a Pre-School (ages 2½-4), and a roll of 266 at present. We were inspected by Ofsted in November 2012 and found to be an 'Outstanding' school and then again in July 2018 when Ofsted upheld their previous inspection, meaning we are still, 'Outstanding'. The latest report is attached below; here are a few excerpts:

• You lead the school with passion and enthusiasm 
• Pupils are remarkably well behaved, polite and enthusiastic
• 'The staff here are caring, compassionate and inspiring; a dream team ...' (quote from a parent)
• Pupils are highly productive and make great progress.
• Work to promote pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural education is exceptionally strong.
• Teachers' judicious use of questioning ensures that pupils are able to explain their understanding of what they are reading, to an advanced level.
   

Our school community enables our children to reach and extend their potential whilst growing in self-confidence, respecting themselves and the people and environment around them. We work in close partnership with our parents and value the support and contribution they make to our school. Our school opening times are from 8.55am until 3.25pm for all classes.

At Sheldwich we have much to celebrate, combining the friendliness and values of a village school with modern technology and quality teaching. Set in the most beautiful rural location, we are also a Forest School, which gives our children the opportunity to take full advantage of our lovely outdoor learning area. Apart from an exciting, challenging and stimulating curriculum, we offer a modern, well-maintained school site, friendly and approachable staff, a wide range of extra-curricular activities and extended school in the form of Early Birds, Night Owls and Little Hedgehogs Pre-School.

We hope you enjoy your trip around our site – although of course, this is only a tiny glimpse of life at Sheldwich Primary School!

Prospective parents are very welcome to visit and we would be pleased to show you around. Please contact the school office to arrange an appointment. 

Mrs S Garrett
Headteacher

Sheldwich Village

The rural village of Sheldwich is set within beautiful countryside on the outskirts of the historic town of Faversham.

The village maintains a strong sense of community built around St. James' Church, the Village Events committee, the Cricket Club and of course the school. The annual village fete has a very traditional feel and draws hundreds of visitors from far and wide.

Sheldwich Primary and Pre-School take a very active part in village life, performing maypole at the fete, singing at village hall coffee mornings, taking part in the village Christingle service along with services at Harvest, Easter, Christmas and celebrating at the end of the academic year. 

Indeed many of our staff and parents are keenly involved with village events.

History

We have documents proving that there has been a school in Sheldwich Village since 1814 and admission registers going back to the late 1800s which make very interesting reading. Back then the fathers’ occupations were carefully recorded; being in a rural area the majority were farm labourers but also worked in long lost trades such as wagoners, farriers and bailiffs (our equivalent of the local ‘bobby’). We also have some wonderful old photos of the school and pupils over the last 100 years, many of which can be viewed all around the school.

Originally the school was situated on the Lees, (the green just along the road) but as the pupil numbers grew, a larger building was needed. In 1939 the new school was built and this was extensively extended in 1993. We have now reached our capacity and have 221 pupils on roll in seven classes.

In 2006 we converted our WWII bomb shelter into a usable space, which is now our very bright and comfortable library! In 2012 we completed another extension thereby building a new classroom to replace the last remaining mobile along with some additional pupil working areas. This may well be the final additional to the bricks and mortar of Sheldwich Primary School, however we are always searching for new ways to improve the working environment.

Little Hedgehogs Pre-School

In September 2016 we opened our new Sheldwich Pre-School (Little Hedgehogs) and are now able to welcome many new families to this lovely village and school.  

We are delighted that now we can offer education and childcare provision for children between the ages of 4 and 11 years in term time between the hours of 7.45am and 5.30pm. 

School Values