Help for You & Your Child
Parents
Starting School
Children start in Tower Class which has Reception and Year 1 together. There is a very nurturing environment in Tower Class, which assists with the transition from nursery to school and then the Early Years to Year 1. We enjoy a great range of weekly activities including forest school, music and yoga as well as our normal lessons. At Overbury, we believe that children should develop their learning both indoors and outdoors.
The Tower Classroom has been carefully planned so that resources and areas are always available to children in Tower Class, including the book corner, the writing corner, water play, construction toys, our very secure outdoor area, and the ever-changing role play area. We are proud of our strong links with Grasshoppers Nursery and Country Pumpkins in Beckford.
Each year, we are delighted to welcome back our Year 1s to the class and our new Reception children into our school. We ensure that there are plenty of transition activities for our new Reception cohort in the summer, prior to them starting, to help prepare the children for life at school in September.
Student Learning
Tower Class
Tower Class brings Reception and Year 1 together in a warm, nurturing environment that supports a smooth transition into school. Children enjoy a broad range of weekly activities, including forest school, music and yoga, alongside high-quality indoor and outdoor learning.
The classroom offers continuous provision with spaces such as a book corner, writing area, construction, water play, a secure outdoor area and a regularly changing role-play zone. We also maintain strong links with local nurseries, including Grasshoppers Nursery and Country Pumpkins.
Each year, we are delighted to welcome back our Year 1s to the class and our new Reception children into our school. We ensure that there are plenty of transition activities for our new Reception cohort in the summer, prior to them starting, to help prepare the children for life at school in September.
Current Topics (2025–2026)
- Summer 1: Seas and Oceans – EYFS Overview. Year 1 Overview. Knowledge Organiser
- Spring 2: Superheroes – EYFS Overview. Year 1 Overview. Knowledge Organiser
- Spring 1: Rainforests – EYFS Overview. Year 1 Overview. Knowledge Organiser
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Autumn 2: Hot & Cold Climates – EYFS Overview · Topic Overview · Knowledge Organiser
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Autumn 1: Life on the Farm – EYFS Overview · Year 1 Overview · Knowledge Organiser
Previous Topics
Topics from previous years include Pirates, Minibeasts, Space, African Animals, Toys, Rainforests, Knights & Castles, Seas & Oceans and more. Each topic includes links to Parent Overviews, Knowledge Maps and EYFS documents.
Educational Visits
Educational visits have included trips to Overbury Farm, Warwick Castle, All things Wild, Sealife centre and different places of worship. We also enjoy weekly forest school sessions where we use the outdoors to enhance our learning opportunities.
Sheldon Class
Sheldon Class is home to Year 2 and 3. We learn in many different ways, value curiosity and always try our best—even when learning feels challenging. We support one another, work collaboratively and enjoy using art, music, drama and digital media to enrich our learning.
Alongside daily English and Maths, we explore a wide range of exciting topics through Science, History, Geography, Art and Music. Children also help shape what we learn, which leads to engaging and meaningful topic work.
Current Topics (2025–2026)
- Summer 1: Ancient Egyptians
Parent Topic Overview. Children’s Knowledge Organiser - Spring 2: Volcanoes
Parent Topic Overview. Children’s Knowledge Organiser - Spring 1: Dinosaurs
Parent Topic Overview. Children’s Knowledge Organiser -
Autumn 2: Overbury – A Study
Parent Topic Overview · Children’s Knowledge Organiser -
Autumn 1: Fire & Gunpowder
Parent Topic Overview · Children’s Knowledge Organiser
Previous Topics
Recent topics include France, India, School Through History, Islands, Before the Internet and Pre History. Each year includes links to Parent Overviews and Knowledge Maps.
Educational Visits
Our educational visits have included exciting trips to All Things Wild, Hartlebury Castle, and various places of worship. These experiences provide rich opportunities to bring the national curriculum to life beyond the classroom. By connecting learning to the outdoors, we deepen children’s understanding of science, geography, and design technology, making these subjects more meaningful and inspiring through real-world contexts.
Sundial Class
Sundial Class is where our Year 4 and Year 5 children learn. Each day is filled with new and exciting learning opportunities across a wide range of subjects. You can explore all current and past topics on our Curriculum page, and view our Welcome to Sundial Class presentation for more information.
Current Topics (2025–2026)
- Summer 1: World War II
Parent Topic Letter. Knowledge Organiser. Vocabulary Activity. Homework - Spring 2: Bridges
Parent Topic Letter. Vocabulary Activity. Knowledge Organiser - Spring 1: Mayans
Parent Topic Letter. Knowledge Organiser. Vocabulary Activity. Homework. -
Autumn 2: Earth & Space
Parent Topic Letter · Knowledge Organiser · Homework -
Autumn 1: Romans
Parent Topic Letter. Knowledge Organiser· Vocabulary Activity· Homework ·
Previous Topics
Recent years have included Galapagos, Battle of Tewkesbury, Mountains, Transport, Our European Neighbours and the Anglo-Saxons.. Each topic includes links to Parent Overviews, Knowledge Maps and related resources.
Educational Visits
Our educational visits have included inspiring trips to the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival, Chedworth Roman Villa, and a range of places of worship. These experiences bring the national curriculum to life beyond the classroom, offering hands-on opportunities to explore history, culture, and the natural world. By taking learning outdoors, we enrich children’s understanding of science, geography, and design technology, making these subjects more engaging and meaningful through real-world contexts.
Admissions
Admissions to Overbury First School are managed by Worcestershire County Council. Click here to read more on the WCC web site about admissions, transport, free school meals and other information related to admissions to our school.
For Admission Appeals, please contact the Local Authority. You can also read our admissions policies on the school policies page.
Internet Safety for Children
At Overbury CE First School we know that the internet is a fantastic resource for learning and fun—but it’s important to keep children safe while they explore online. We work closely with parents to make sure every child understands how to use technology responsibly.
Police Officers from the Gloucestershire constabulary regularly visit the children in the different classes to talk about E Safety.
Mr Hawkins also gives an annual E Safety presentation to parents. Please find the most recent presentation link here.
Top Tips for Parents
- Set up parental controls on devices, apps, and your home Wi-Fi.
- Agree on screen time limits and stick to them.
- Talk regularly about what your child is doing online.
- Keep devices in shared spaces rather than bedrooms.
- Know the apps and games your child uses—check age ratings.
We recommend that you read this practical guide for parents and carers whose children are using social media (issued Dec 2015). There is also a wealth of information available on the Internet, including CEOP and ParentInfo as outlined below, but if you have any questions or concerns then please talk to us.
Useful Resources
- CEOP – Advice for parents and children.
- NSPCC Online Safety – Practical guides and tips.
- Childnet – Resources for families.
- Internet Matters – Step-by-step parental control guides.
CEOP is the Child Exploitation and Online Protection command, and is part of the National Crime Agency. You can access a lot of valuable information on their web site by clicking on this link (CEOP).
What We Do at School
- We teach online safety as part of our Team Computing curriculum and through Project Evolve.
- We use secure filtering systems to protect children online.
- Our Online Safety Policy is available in our school policies section.
ParentInfo is a free, regularly updated resource for schools to share with parents and carers. Created by the National Crime Agency’s CEOP and Parent Zone, it offers expert advice on topics like online safety, relationships, body image and wellbeing.
Its aim is to help parents support their children in becoming confident, resilient and responsible — both online and offline.
Reporting Concerns
If you’re worried about something your child has seen or experienced online:
- Contact the school immediately.
- Report serious concerns to CEOP.
School Uniform
At Overbury we try to keep our school uniform simple, affordable and easy to obtain.
School uniform should be clearly marked with the child’s name and regularly checked to see whether the name is still visible (laundry pen available in the office) as all lost property looks the same!
If you wish to have uniform with our logo on, this can be bought second hand through one of our second hand uniform sales in school. Alternatively, new uniform can be purchased on-line via MyClothing, with either embroidered and/or unembroidered items.
The Overbury school tie is available from the school office, we have a limited supply available for you to purchase or alternatively borrow for a £5 deposit. The school offers a small uniform grant of £20 to pupils on Free School Meals who are starting school. Please contact the office for further details.
Wrap around Care
Grasshoppers Nursery currently support us with our wrap around care – if you
require before or after school places please contact them on 01386 725755.
Keeping Children Safe
Safeguarding
At Overbury CE First School the safeguarding of our children is of paramount importance and we fully recognise our responsibilities, applying our safeguarding policy and practice to all staff, governors and volunteers working in the school. The main elements of our policy are that:
- We practice safer recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children;
- We raise awareness of child protection issues and equip our children with the skills needed to keep them safe;
- We develop and implement procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse;
- We support pupils who have been abused (in accordance with his/her agreed child protection plan);
- We establish a safe environment in which children can learn and develop.
We recognise that because of the day to day contact with children, school staff are well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse. The school will therefore:
- Establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened to;
- Ensure that the duty of care towards its pupils and staff is promoted by raising awareness of illegal, unsafe and unwise behaviour and assist staff to monitor their own standards and practice;
- Ensure children know that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are worried;
- Include opportunities in the PSHE and Computing curriculum for children to develop the skills they need to recognise and stay safe.
For further Safeguarding information, please contact;
Emma Ross – Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Charlotte Davies – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
The Parents, Teachers and Friends Association (PTFA)
Friends of Overbury
Our school has an active and supportive parental group, The Friends of Overbury School (charity no. 1088734). They help with fundraising, contribute to school events, and strengthen the community side of life at Overbury CE First School. All parents and carers are automatically members and are welcome to join in with events and meetings.
Activities
The Friends organise lots of fun, non-curricular activities for the children, including:
- Bug Club
- Bikeability
- Christmas gift from Father Christmas
- Pantomime at School
- Subsidising all three classes going on a school trip
- We have also purchased iPads for the school
Each and every child in the school benefits from all the fundraising that we do so please do support every event. It is much appreciated.
Having a vibrant and active Friends group can really make a difference for all the pupils (ie your child/children) – do join in – it is a great way to get involved!
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