Rowdeford School is special because: We have small, well-staffed classes We have a happy, ‘family’ atmosphere We focus on the individual needs of each pupil We have an expert, experienced and dedicated staff team We provide high quality learning and teaching opportunities Our main aim is to raise our pupil’s self confidence and self-esteem We have regular and routine contact with Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language, Physio and other therapists, the Connexions service, other professionals and work-experience providers. We are the first special school in Wiltshire to become a Specialist School for pupils with Communication and Interaction difficulties, with all the additional resources, staffing and expertise, which this specialist status brings.

We hope that you enjoy looking at our website and would welcome any feedback.
We can assure you that if you then decide to visit Rowdeford you will not be disappointed!

Ingrid Lancaster-Gaye
Headteacher

Rowde Vilage School

We have a very successful and happy school that enjoys a good reputation in the local community and where our children tell us they are happy, secure and enjoy their school life. The Staff and Governors value our Christian foundation and you will see this reflected in the high quality of care that we offer to all our children and in the breadth of the curriculum. We are an inclusive school where all members of the school family are valued as individuals and for the contribution they make to our high academic standards and caring atmosphere. Our Christian ethos ensures that children are taught to be thoughtful and kind towards others. We have high expectations of the children in their work, behaviour and play, but the children know that this is a safe place to make mistakes and to learn from them. We praise all children regularly, for their successes in and out of school. Our Special Needs education is a strength of the school.

The original school was built in 1907 but in 2006 we moved into a brand new purpose built 7 class school about 200metres from the old buildings in the High Street. The new site has extensive grounds and parking facilities.

Our new site offers children two playgrounds, a large field with items of adventure playground apparatus, a conservation area, a school garden and a heated outdoor swimming pool.

We have been Investors in People for 12 years now and also hold the Basic Skills Award and the Healthy Schools Award. We were one of the first schools to be awarded the DfES School Achievement Award for outstanding SATs results and have featured in the Sunday Times Guide to the Best State Schools four times in the past eight years. We are justly proud of our results that consistently place us in the top 10% of schools in the country. In September 2005 OFSTED judged our school to be ‘Outstanding’.

The spacious new buildings and grounds are used out of hours by various organisations and individuals. The hall is used by a judo club and a drama group and has also been hired by various individuals for dances and parties, using the school cook as caterer - she is a trained and experienced chef! There are also regular bookings for the buildings from church groups that use the school at weekends for ‘Alpha Away Days’ and St.Matthews church hold a Family Service in the school hall one Sunday a month. The Parish Council also now holds meetings in the school hall every other month.

The school field is used by a children's Archery coach for tuition and also by local children's football clubs. We have an all-weather cricket wicket which is attracting interest from local children's clubs.

Details of current charges and a full list of facilities are available from the school office (ring Sally on 01380 723991 for details). Village and childrens organisations are given a discount on our standard hiring charges.