The school is set in the middle of the parish of St Martins in the SE corner of Guernsey. The original grey granite part of the building dates back to 1901 and has been added to over the years. The school is in excellent condition, highly fit for purpose and has all parts of the building linked under one roof.
The school is 3 form entry and approximately 550 children aged between 4 and 11 are on role. Each year group has three classes and these are grouped together and have their own area and entrance.
We have our own swimming pool, music drama room, and gym. Our outdoor learning facilities are excellent; we have 2 large playing fields, woodland, garden, trim trail, pond, fire pit, and all-weather pitch. Our 21 classrooms are well equipped with access to a wide range of technology such as iPads, laptops, and digital display boards.
We embrace the Bailiwick of Guernsey Curriculum which offers not only the essentials of numeracy and literacy but also a strong emphasis on developing the whole child; including learning outside the classroom, mental health and well-being, creativity, and independence. Teamwork and cooperative learning are given a strong emphasis and learning activities are tailored to meet the needs of the individual child. We are proud of the high standards we achieve in literacy and numeracy and of the excellent way our pupils behave.
Our Vision
- Ensure that all members of the school community feel safe, valued, included through respect for others. Promote physical and mental well-being and the belief that we can all grow and develop through our own efforts.
- Sustain and improve our excellent standards across the curriculum through high quality teaching and learning.
- Provide a joyous and purposeful curriculum that enables children to develop skills in critical thinking, team work, creativity, reflection, independence and resilience. Ensure this curriculum embraces diversity and provides rich opportunities for learning outside of the classroom.
- Develop digital competency, communication and numeracy in a wide range of age appropriate and meaningful contexts.
- Ensure that pupils are active and enjoy physical activity and outdoor learning.
- Maintain our strong links outside of the school through active engagement with all parents/carers and the wider community.
- Sustain and develop whole school self-evaluation and critical reflection to promote good practice. Ensure that the pupil voice, the views of parents, staff and the wider community are included in that process.
Our Policies
- Learning and Teaching Policy
- Rights Respecting Policy
- Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
- Behaviour Policy
- Anti Bullying Policy
- Inclusion Policy
- Sex and Relationships Policy
- Confidentiality Policy
- Special Educational Needs Policy
- Attendance, Absence and Holidays
- Compliments and Complaints Policy
We believe that learning should be joyous and purposeful; where learners are excited and engaged through excellent teaching which challenges them and shows them what they can do.
We ensure that learning is of high quality which is planned and managed so that every child is supported and challenged.
We believe in strong partnerships with families and the wider community to ensure that learning outside of our school thrives.
Through our teaching and learning, we aim to achieve the core purposes and outcomes of the Bailiwick Curriculum.
As a Rights Respecting School, St Martin’s vision, values and aims are underpinned by the values and principles of the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
St Martin’s Primary School, a GOLD Rights Respecting School, is committed to promoting and protecting children’s rights, as set out in the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). St Martin’s Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its learners, and this commitment is woven through everything that it does. At all times, the best interests of the child must come first.
At St Martin’s Primary School we believe that all behaviours are communications and a response to an individual set of circumstances.
Behaviour management is not a discrete, separate element of school life but part of being engaged or disengaged with learning and the life of the school.
This policy should keep us focused on the core principles of our community which are about inclusion and achievement – as captured in our tagline ‘All different, succeeding together’.
Most importantly, it will only be as effective as the work of the school community members who put it into practice. As with every policy we need to apply it with humanity, sensitivity and consistency.
At St Martin’s Primary School, we are aware that pupils may be bullied in any school or setting, and recognise that preventing, raising awareness and consistently responding to any cases of bullying should be a priority to ensure the safety and well-being of our pupils.
St Martin’s Primary School aims to be a fully inclusive school. Our school values the individuality of all of our children, staff and parents/carers, and treats everyone with respect and in a fair and just manner. We understand and value diversity, and challenge discrimination.
We are committed to giving all of our children every opportunity to learn, grow and develop and to achieve the highest possible standards, irrespective of ethnicity, attainment, age, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or background. We do this by taking account of their varied life experiences and needs, and actively seeking to remove barriers to learning and participation that can hinder or exclude individuals or groups. The achievements, attitudes and well-being of all our children matter.
All young people within the Bailiwick’s State Education system, including those in special schools, will receive a well-developed programme of Sex and Relationship Education, with the support of SHARE nurses, to provide them with the necessary skills, attitudes and knowledge to make healthy, safe and informed decisions about their relationships, sexual behaviour and health.
Please click to view our SRE Policy.
Additional information is available on the States of Guernsey website here.
To protect the child at all times and to give all staff involved clear, unambiguous guidance as to their legal and professional roles and to ensure good practice throughout the school which is understood by children, parents/carers and staff. To comply with Guernsey Data Protection Law 2018
All teachers and LSAs are aware of the importance of identifying and providing for children with Special Educational Needs. All children have individual needs, and may have special needs in varying degrees and at different times during their school life.
St Martin’s Primary School recognises that positive behaviour and good attendance are central to raising standards and pupil attainment.
For our children to gain the greatest benefit from their education it is vital that they attend regularly and be at school, on time, every day the school is open unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable.
Any absence affects the pattern of a child’s schooling and regular absence will seriously affect their learning. Any pupil’s absence or later arrival disrupts teaching routines and so may affect the learning of others in the same class.
Our school aims to meet its statutory obligations when responding to complaints from parents of pupils at the school, and others.
Our Curriculum
