Aldborough Primary School says Marine Conservation award created a real buzz
The only Norfolk school to have won the Ocean Friendly Award is holding extra open days for prospective parents wanting to visit. Aldborough Primary School, between Aylsham and Cromer in North Norfolk, has seen an increase in interest from parents and carers since the award was announced, just before the summer holidays.
“It really created a buzz,” says head teacher Mrs Bearman. “We’re a little off the beaten track, so parents who find us are usually pretty bowled over when they visit!” That’s partly down to the fact that behind the school’s attractive Victorian façade is a striking, modern building that opened in 2010 after a £3million building project. It has a Learning Street off which are light and airy classrooms which, in turn, lead onto verandas overlooking the sports field and the woodland beyond – where forest school classes are run.
“We’re certainly very lucky with our facilities, but of course it’s the people who make the school such a great place to learn and work,” says Mrs Bearman. The latest Ofsted inspection, in 2019, noted how determined the school is to make the most of the opportunities for pupils presented by the ‘wonderful woodland setting.’
Aldborough Primary School is only the eighth school in the UK to gain Ocean Friendly status from the Marine Conservation Society, and the first in Norfolk. “It’s a very important subject,” says Mrs Bearman. “People in general, and children in particular, are hugely interested in the environment and it’s now at the heart of the curriculum.” As part of the award, children had to investigate topics such as pollution in the seas, overfishing and climate change. “We focused one of our family learning days on the award, where parents, grandparents and carers joined their children and school staff to study the subject.”
The open days are on Thursday 12th October, Wednesday 15th November and Wednesday 6th December 2023. All start at 9.30am. Anyone wishing to visit can call the office on 01263 761264 or email office@aldborough.norfolk.sch.uk
Visit www.aldborough.norfolk.sch.uk for more information. Aldborough Primary School was last visited by Ofsted in March 2019 and is rated ‘Good’.
Press contacts:
In term time: Mrs D Knight, The office, Aldborough Primary School
01263 761264 /office@aldborough.norfolk.sch.uk
Alternatively: Tim Morgan, 07947 280137 or timmorgan4@me.com