Our School – Fingringhoe Primary School

Our School

Timings of the School Day

Children are expected to arrive punctually at their allocated timeslot below, where they enter through their designated gate. Children go straight to classrooms to begin their learning. If you arrive after your time slot please wait until the end of the times and enter through the main gate, maintaining social distancing at all times.

Breaktime: 10.25am (staggered)

Lunchtime: 12.00pm (staggered)

Drop off and collection times:

8.40am – 3.00pm – Willow Class (EYFS and Year 1) – Green Gate

8.40am – 3.00pm – Beech Class (Years 2 and 3) – Main Gate

8.50am – 3:10pm – Maple Class (Years 4 and 5) – Green Gate

8.50am – 3.10pm Elm Class (Year 6) – Main Gate

Starting School and Admission Arrangements

Starting School:

When starting school, we know that parents and children can have mixed emotions. We work closely with families and early years settings to ensure as smooth a start as possible. We make visits to pre-schools and nurseries beforehand as well as organising induction sessions so our staff can get to know the children and you can get to know us. Our early years staff take great delight in providing a wonderful and exciting classroom space with carefully planned lessons and activities to engage pupils.

“An enabling environment has successfully been created where activities are designed to interest and stimulate children’s learning through play. Children are highly motivated and eager to join in demonstrating curiosity, imagination and concentration; they are confident and eager to talk about their learning. Well established routines enable children to settle quickly and independently. Pupil behaviour is good and pupils interact safely with each other and the environment.” Local Authority 2017

Admission Arrangements:

We welcome visits to our school by anyone interested in seeking a place for their child. If you wish to visit the school or have any queries regarding admissions, please contact the school office.

Parents wishing for their child to attend the school should make a formal application through the co-ordinated primary admissions scheme operated by Essex County Council, using the common application form. Applications for Year R must be received by the Local Authority on or before their published closing date for admission.

Essex County Council Admissions information here.

If an application is to be made, parents are invited to complete the school’s “Supplementary Information Form” in support of this, available here.

Full Admissions Policy available here:

2019-2020

2020-2021

Our Teaching Staff

Bill Aylett

Interim Head Teacher

It is an honour to have been asked to come out of retirement and take up the role of Interim Headteacher of this lovely school.

I have over 38 years’ experience in education, the last sixteen as headteacher of two schools with my final position being in a school not too far from here. Over my career, my family and I have lived and worked in Lesotho, Germany and Cyprus as well as locations in the UK. Travelling and seeing some of the world has always been a passion of ours.

The primary curriculum is broad and interesting, but my real passion lies in the areas of mathematics, science and technology. I love exercise, it just takes a little longer these days!

Hayley Rollings

Deputy Head

I am currently the deputy head teacher here at Fingringhoe and I teach Maple Class (Years 4 & 5). I have been a teacher for sixteen years and have taught across all year groups, but predominantly in KS2. I know that all children deserve to have access to high quality education and a respectful, nurturing and caring environment and this is why it is such a pleasure to be part of the ‘Fingringhoe Family’. I really do enjoy my job

Vicky Ward

I trained at St. Alfred’s in Winchester, qualifying with a BA in Education Hons (with QTS). Since qualifying I have worked in various schools across Colchester. I returned to Fingringhoe in 2013, choosing to work here as I attended Fingringhoe School as a child. It is a privilege to be part of the team, inspiring and enabling future generations.

Alex Yates

After completing my BA Hons degree in Politics and History at the University of Essex in 1997, I worked for a charity supporting children with special needs and their families. I then went on to complete a PGCE in primary education at Goldsmiths College in London. Since qualifying I have taught in schools in Braintree and Tendring, working with all year groups in KS2. I am enjoying working at Fingringhoe school, where hardworking pupils and staff have created a fantastic school community.

Caroline Withrington

After completing my BSc hons degree in psychology from UEA in 2001, I returned there to study for my teacher training and completed my PGCE in 2003 . As a class teacher and 1:1 tutor, I have worked across a number of schools in this area. I joined Fingringhoe school in 2016 and have loved working here ever since. I feel very lucky and also very proud to work with such wonderful children and such a caring, supportive staff team.

Laura Baker

My name is Laura Baker and I teach Beech Class (years 2 and 3) here at Fingringhoe School. I hold a degree in Early Childhood Studies from Anglia Ruskin University and a PGCE through the Essex SCITT program. During my PGCE studies, I had my placement at this school and fell in love with the family centred, community spirit you feel as you walk in the foyer. The staff are so supportive and good relationships have been formed between those who attend and support the school. I am very proud to teach here and am enjoying being responsible for reading and computing across the school.

Pip O’Toole

After achieving a BA (Hons) degree in Early Years Education in 2019, I went on to complete my teacher training and PGCE with Colchester Teacher Training Consortium (CTTC). Throughout my degree, I worked as an LSA and After School Club Manager at Fingringhoe and fell in love with the values of the school. The family ethos inevitably generates a nurturing environment in which the pupils can thrive both academically and emotionally. I feel incredibly privileged to join such a well-established and strong teaching team.