Welcome

I am delighted to welcome you to our website and our school. 

At Roger de Clare C. of E. First School and Nursery we work with each family to ensure the best possible outcomes for every child.  Our aim for all children is 'maximum achievement for all in a happy, caring and Christian environment'.    We aim to make each child's learning experience as personalised as possible, drawing on their needs and interests as well as curriculum and year group expectations.   We have a chosen Bible quote which we believe exemplifies our approach, meets our vision and encourages a foundational Christian experience: "I am the way, the truth and the life." John 4:16

Our ethos is centred around play-based or active learning.  We ensure the principles of the Early Years are built upon across the school as we believe it is vital for our children that they are allowed to grow their knowledge and skills in an investigative and hands-on approach. 

We are part of the three tier system,  providing education for children from 3 to 9 years of age. At 9 years, children usually transfer to Ralph Sadleir Middle School which is adjacent to Roger de Clare or Edwinstree Middle School in Buntingford and then to Freman College Upper School in Buntingford at 13 years.  A child who joins one of our schools benefits from the expertise and resources of all our local family of schools.  We work closely together with our partner first, middle and upper schools to make sure that all our pupils are well prepared for each next step of their education in our local community’s excellent education system.

There are very few places in the country where state education offers this seamless education from Nursery right through to the Upper Sixth.  We are proud of the outstanding achievements that together we enable our local children to achieve, whether this is students achieving GCSE progress in the top 3% nationally or the amazing standards our children achieve in music, art, drama and sport.  It is a pleasure over the years to watch the children in our schools grow into happy and successful young adults.

It is because Buntingford and Rib Valley Schools work together that they are able to offer our children so much more than other schools.  Please click on the link to see the Buntingford and Rib Valley Schools website: https://brvs.org.uk/

Being a church school, we have strong links with the local church, St. Mary's, Standon, where we regularly attend services. Our Key Stage 2 children read prayers, poems and stories linked to events in the Christian calendar, while the main school join in with hymns and songs. Parents are invited and warmly welcomed to all of our services.  Our Vicar and a Lay Reader also visit the school regularly to talk, work and pray with the children. These active and lively worships are looked forward to by all the children and staff.  

Our culture is at the heart of all we do.  This is known as 'The Roger de Clare Way'.   The Roger de Clare Way consists of 5 strands - Manners, Learning, Growth Mindset, Kindness and Environment.  These principles apply to all stakeholders.   

We advocate a strong partnership with parents, knowing that by working together your child will achieve.  If you need to speak to a member of staff, please do not hesitate to contact us in person, in writing, by phone or email and we will respond as soon as we can.  I aim to be in the playground each morning if you would like to speak to me or arrange a time to discuss an issue confidentially. 

Mrs. Laura Woods

Headteacher