YR Starters 2024-25

Welcome to the Aspire Academy Trust.

Aspire is a vibrant, highly successful and widely recognised Trust determined to raise standards of educational achievement to the very highest levels. We don’t just aim for our children to achieve what is average or expected, but for them to excel both academically and in character.

We live in a global economy that requires our children to be prepared to think both critically and creatively, solve complex problems, and to communicate well. Mastery of the basics: reading, writing, maths and technology is our core purpose, and this sits firmly alongside ensuring our children have well-developed social and emotional skills. Aspire academies have a strong emphasis on the sport, arts and social, moral spiritual and cultural education.

All our 28 schools and academies are an integral part of their local communities and have a real sense of identity. We value the contribution each of our communities makes and the distinctive opportunities and diversity it offers to the Trust. By working in true partnership, we offer exceptional learning experiences to all our children, so they benefit from the strength that being part of the extended Aspire family brings. If you want to learn more about us, then please visit our website at www.aspireacademytrust.org

I look forward to hopefully welcoming you to the Aspire family!

Vanessa Bragg
Aspire CEO

Head of School Welcome

At Probus School, we are very fortunate to have our own Nursery provision that can link daily with the Reception provision. Our EYFS lead oversees both phases of the Early Years to ensure our values and learning is coherent and embedded from the moment your child enters our care.
We are very proud of our beautiful outdoor areas and believe the environment to be the "third teacher." Each day staff prepare the spaces for guided exploration and adventure, to keep the learning fresh and child initiated.
It is a joy to share time in this happy and vibrant place and to see our youngest pupils achieving and developing confidence in EYFS. Our experienced EYFS team leader guides the provision with clarity and creativity and children benefit greatly from a team with wellbeing for the child at the centre of everything they do.
Pupils in our Reception class continue to access the wonderful play areas and have enhanced provision in their extended setting which includes a nurture space and sensory room.
Our aim is to welcome children into the school with warmth and continuity so that there "home for learning" feels safe, happy and stimulating.
Ms Praed

Meet the EYFS Team

Mrs Jones is a dedicated and passionate Early Years specialist, who will be your main point of contact for EYFS. Her responsibilities include staff development, communications with parents and leading the Early Years Curriculum.
Mrs Jones will be the main teacher for the Reception class and work with experienced teaching assistants to ensure quality, creative provision for your child.

School Office

School Office

Mrs Senior is our school administrator and welcomes you to pop in to the office to see her if you have any questions / queries.

If you wish to contact your child's teacher then please use the below email address and Mrs Senior will ensure it gets passed to them for you.

The school office is open 8.00am - 4.00pm
(closed 12.30-1.00 for lunch)

T: 01726 882647
E: hello@probusschool.org.uk

Tapestry Home Communication

"Tapestry keeps you in touch with your child’s day wherever you are"

Tapestry is an easy-to-use and secure online learning journal that helps staff and families across Aspire academies celebrate their children’s learning and development both at school and home.

Tapestry facilitates this by enabling a personal journal that builds over time. Photographs, videos and notes of special moments will be made available regularly to you via your iPhone or Android App.

More details on how to activate your Tapestry account will be shared once your child starts.

Vision & Values - Be safe, Be prepared, Be respectful

All pupils are welcome at Probus School and respect for one another is the key value which underpins everyday relationships. The interactions seek to develop personal skills so necessary in life - unity, trust, co-operation, kindness, perseverance and responsibility to self and others.
Our vision is to produce happy, well balanced individuals equipped with the academic and personal skills to cope with modern life. We seek to give pupil voice a high priority and inspire pupils with a creativity ambitious curriculum rooted in the locale.
The pupils learn about three key aspects for behaviour - being safe, being prepared for learning and being respectful to others.

Early Years Curriculum

We have a wonderful learning environment that is beautifully resourced. We have access to our classroom, a covered outside area, a playground and a sensory garden. We have a large field and a polytunnel for the children to access.

We feel passionate that children learn most effectively when the learning follows their natural interest. We give real-life, purposeful experiences to children to ignite a love of learning such as planting, cooking, making playdough and resources that require self-selection.

Reading and Little Wandle Phonics

In Early Years and KS1, the children all learn how to read using a systematic, synthetic phonics programme called Little Wandle.

Each term is carefully planned and sequenced to support each child. The children are assessed every six weeks and this ensures that the books sent home are appropriately matched to each child's phonics ability. Daily reading with your child is very important to support the reading journey. Your child will have a reading record in which you record the home reading.

https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/