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Overbury C of E First School

Frequently Asked Questions

At Overbury First School, having mixed-age classes means children learn in a really supportive, family-like setting. Older children help the younger ones, which builds confidence and friendships across year groups. Teachers get to know the children really well and can tailor the learning to suit each child. It’s a small, close-knit school where everyone feels included and valued.

At Overbury, we offer a wide range of enrichment activities that go beyond the classroom. From eco projects and global citizenship to gardening, forest school, and creative arts, our children are encouraged to explore, lead, and make a difference. We also run a variety of after-school clubs—like rounders, rugby, construction, Science and DT—so there’s something for everyone. Plus, wrap-around care is provided in conjunction with Overbury Grasshoppers, with play-based learning before and after school. Whole school enrichment activities also include our annual maypole celebrations, carolling around the village at Christmas and Flag flying when it is your child’s birthday. It’s all about supporting the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally.

One of the biggest benefits of attending a small school like Overbury is the strong sense of community. Every child is known, valued, and supported—not just academically, but emotionally and socially. At Overbury, teachers tailor learning to each child’s needs, helping them build confidence and reach their full potential. There’s also more opportunity for leadership, participation, and meaningful relationships, which makes school feel safe, personal, and engaging.

At Overbury First School, we’re committed to supporting every child, including those with Special Educational Needs. We work closely with families to understand each child’s unique needs and create a personalised support plan. Our experienced staff use targeted strategies and interventions, and we regularly review progress to ensure the right support is in place.

When additional expertise is needed, we work with a range of external specialists—such as speech and language therapists, educational psychologists, and behaviour or communication specialists—who help us tailor support even more effectively.

If a child needs a higher level of ongoing support than what we can provide through our ordinary provision, we will work with families to apply for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). This process ensures that a child’s long-term needs are formally recognised and supported with the right provision.

Above all, we aim to create an inclusive, nurturing environment where every child feels safe, valued, and able to thrive.

At Overbury First School, our school day runs from 8:45 am to 3:15 pm. The hall doors open between 8.35 and 8.45 am to allow a calm start, with registration and settling in by 8:45 am. Most mornings start with a collective worship at 9am, followed by morning lessons with a mid-morning break at 10:30 am where children have time for a healthy snack and some play. Morning lessons often focus on English and Maths.
Lunch is typically from 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm, giving children time to eat and enjoy outdoor play. The afternoon session starts after lunch, focusing on a mix of lessons and creative activities. The school day ends at 3:15 pm, with a calm finish through storytime or reflection.

At Overbury First School, we believe that working closely with parents is key to helping every child succeed. We keep open and regular communication through newsletters, emails, and parent meetings so you’re always in the loop about your child’s progress and school events. If you have a question or concern, you can always catch me and the teachers on the hall door in the mornings.

We encourage parents to be actively involved—whether that’s through volunteering, attending workshops, or simply having conversations with teachers. When challenges arise, we work together to find the best solutions and ensure your child feels supported both at home and at school.

Parents are invited into school regularly to take part in different activities with the children. These include:

  • ERIS (that stands for Everyone Reading In School) with your child.
  • Looking at your child’s books with your child.
  • Attending celebration worship when your child has been awarded a certificate.
  • Celebrating your child’s birthday at their flag flying.
  • MacMillan coffee morning which is run by Sundial class.
  • Christmas Fayre that is led by the children.

Ultimately, our partnership with parents helps create a strong, caring community where every child can thrive.

At Overbury, we make sure parents are well informed about what their children are learning throughout the year. Each term, we email parents topic overviews that clearly show the subjects and key skills your child will be focusing on.

In addition, we share regular updates through newsletters and our school website. Teachers also provide feedback during parents’ evenings, so you can see your child’s progress and areas of strength. We encourage parents to ask questions and stay involved, because understanding what your child is learning helps you support them at home.

At Overbury, our uniform combines comfort and practicality.

Children wear:

  • White polo shirt with or without the school logo
  • Dark-green jumper, cardigan, or sweatshirt
  • Grey or black trousers, grey skirt or pinafore, and in warmer weather, grey or black shorts or a green check dress
  • For P.E., a white T‑shirt and navy shorts or joggers

All items—including shirts, jumpers, fleeces, coats, and PE bags—are available online from My Clothing – this supplier is recommended if you want clothing with our school logo on. However, you can also buy basic items of school uniform, without the school logo, direct from the local supermarkets.

Please do label school uniform and regularly check it to make sure it is still visible as all lost property looks the same!

Outdoor learning is a big part of life at Overbury. We believe that fresh air and hands-on experiences help children learn in meaningful and memorable ways in a beautiful environment.

Children in Reception and Year 1 take part in regular Forest School sessions, where they explore the natural world, build confidence, and develop teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Older children also enjoy outdoor learning, especially when it links to the curriculum—whether it’s measuring shadows in science, exploring habitats in the local countryside, or bringing history and geography to life through real-world experiences.

We also run a popular Gardening Club, where children help grow fruit and vegetables and even visit the Overbury Estate kitchens to see how produce is used in real cooking.

These experiences connect learning to the world around them, helping children develop independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of nature.”

At Overbury First School, we place a strong emphasis on developing a love of reading from the very start. We teach daily phonics using Bug Club, a fun and effective programme that helps children learn to read by blending and segmenting sounds. Children can also access Bug Club at home, so parents can support learning outside the classroom.

We enhance this further with regular ERIS sessions—Everyone Reading in School—where parents are invited to come in and read alongside their children. These sessions help foster a shared love of books and reading.

We also encourage children to make full use of our school library, helping them discover new authors and develop their interests. With daily story time, guided reading, and access to a wide range of high-quality books, we support children in becoming fluent, confident readers who genuinely enjoy reading.

Our aim is for every child to see themselves as a reader—for life, not just for school.

At Overbury, we place a high priority on children’s emotional well-being because we know happy, secure children learn best. We create a caring, nurturing environment where every child feels safe, heard, and valued.

Our small school helps staff build strong relationships and notice when a child needs extra emotional support. For individual children who need more help, we use an Emotional Literacy approach or a Thrive approach— tailored programmes that support emotional development and resilience.

Across the whole school, we use the Zones of Regulation framework to help children understand and manage their feelings, promoting self-awareness and positive behaviour.

We also encourage healthy expression through mindfulness, circle time, and emotional check-ins, and provide a quiet space where children can take a moment if they feel overwhelmed.

We work closely with families and external professionals to ensure every child has the support they need to thrive—both emotionally and academically

Discover, nurture and share God’s gifts

Realise your child’s potential to succeed.

We are very pleased to share with you our latest Ofsted Report, confirming that we remain a GOOD school.