Our School

St. Martin at Shouldham is a Church of England Primary Academy within the Diocese of Ely, and within Norfolk County Council.The school opened in September 2000, following the amalgamation of the village primary schools at Fincham and Shouldham. In 2014 we became a member of the Dioceses of Ely Multi-Academy Trust (DEMAT).

The school is in a small village setting and has close links with the local community.  We cater for around 240 children from rising 3 years to 11 years of age.  We are a feeder school to Downham Market High School.  Our school serves the immediate parishes of Shouldham, Fincham and Shouldham Thorpe, but children also travel from other villages and towns.  In September 2005 a Nursery was added, which now caters for 26 pupils in a purpose built classroom and outdoor area.

We are proud of our fantastic, modern building, with top class eco-credentials.  There are eight classrooms, a library/ Eco-Lab, large hall, kitchen and office suite.  Our extensive outside space includes a large playground, playing fields, a bandstand, landscaped quiet areas, trim trail and 'wild' forest schools area. 

In September 2016 the academy began working in partnership with All Saints Academy in Stoke Ferry, as part of the Village Saints Partnership.

The Governing Body actively supports sustainable development.  The school environment and curriculum enable our pupils to become increasingly aware of, and responsible for, their role as custodians of God's Creation.  The school has installed geothermal heating, rainwater harvesting, solar powered water heating and a wind turbine.

Executive Head Teacher: Mrs Katherine Howe

Executive Deputy Head Teacher: Mrs Rachel Beasley 

Partnership SENDCo: Mrs Kayley Lodge

Welcome

A message from the Headteacher

'There are two lasting bequests we can give our children; one is roots, the other is wings'

Hodding Carter

I am pleased to welcome you to St. Martin at Shouldham school and to the start of our partnership in your child's education. Our school is a happy, thriving primary school. As a staff team we work hard to provide an excellent education for all our pupils within a stimulating, caring and exciting learning environment. We are all very proud of the children at our school, and are constantly striving to develop outstanding teaching and learning in an atmosphere of involvment, respect and support for each other.

St. Martin at Shouldham has achieved consistently excellent results in Numeracy, Literacy and Science. The hard work by pupils, the provision of learning environments that are tailored to each child's individual needs, and our home - school partnerships are the reasons for this achievement.

We aim to achieve excellence by

• assisting pupils in acquiring appropriate social and emotional skills, with high expectations of self-discipline and independence
• promoting a strong partnership between parents, staff and pupils
• actively including pupils in achieving and celebrating success
• creating an environment where every child will flourish and achieve their potential
• developing a curriculum with opportunities to challenge, explore, create and inspire
• developing our enthusiastic, dedicated staff
• making our school a caring, secure and supportive environment

As a Church of England school, our Christian ethos is central to all that we do. We base our values on Christian beliefs and work hard to encourage these through the curriculum. Our school encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith, and promotes Christian values through the wide ranging experiences it offers to all pupils.

Our children are supported to develop into well balanced and curious learners, being both confident and happy at school. We are a sustainable school and encourage our pupils to care for the school, local and wider community and behave as stewards of the Created world. Our modern school building encourages an atmosphere of purpose and belonging. State of the art facilities such as interactive whiteboards, media screens and iPads, and our eco-friendly building contrast with our quiet village setting and rural outside space.

I look forward to welcoming you to our school, and hope that here your child can grow into a confident individual, who is sensitive to others, has a desire to be adventurous and committed in their learning, and who is fully equipped for the challenges ahead.

I hope that you enjoy your visit to our website. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any more information or would like to visit us.

Mrs Katherine Howe, Headteacher