ELM WOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL in Greater Manchester, Manchester

Education Centre Information: Elm Wood Primary School:

Establishment Type:Community School
Phase of Education: Primary
Status: Open
Local Authority: Rochdale
Boarders: No Boarders
Sixth Form: Does not have a sixth form
Urban/Rural Description: Urban > 10k - less sparse
Special Classes: No Special Classes
Religious Character: Does not apply
Nursery Provider: Has Nursery Classes
Total Pupils: 427
Number of boys: 218
Number of girls: 209
Age Range: 3-11
Gender: Mixed
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Background:

Housed in a Grade II listed building designed by Edgar Wood, the school was one of the first to be built as municipal schools in Rochdale in 1910. It has its own grounds, a separate canteen and has close links with British Vita which is very close to the school. The Middleton area, close to Manchester city centre, is one of mixed industrial and residential buildings. The school is over-subscribed in some year groups. 'The National Curriculum has been divided into specific schemes of work for each year group, thus negating any need for long-term planning for teachers. This ensures curriculum continuity and pupil progression.' Homework is a major part of the school ethos and has been for a number of years. In literacy and numeracy children are put into ability sets in order to address their needs more clearly. Trips and visits are an integral part of the curriculum including residential visits, locally based weekends away and a foreign visit to Holland. Parents are also an 'important part of school life', attending workshops and being invited into lessons to learn some of the schools methods, and an 'active' parent-teacher association raises valuable funds. There is an 'extensive' range of extra-curricular activities before and after school. The school has obtained the gold Healthy School Award and is aiming for the Quality Mark.