Why choose Adisham CE Primary School?
A top performing school
Adisham Church Of England Primary School was inspected by Ofsted in November 2025 and received an Exceptional grade in Inclusion along with a Strong Standard grade for Achievement, Attendance and behaviour, Curriculum and teaching, Early years, Leadership and governance and Personal development and well-being.
Below you can read more information about each inspection category along with a link to the full report.
An engaging Curriculum that prepares children for the future
We nurture our students’ growth through a thematic creative curriculum, inspiring them to become well-informed, critical, and creative thinkers in line with our Christian vision, much like the growth of the mustard seed into a robust tree. By intertwining spiritual growth with academic learning, we aim to cultivate life-long learners whose knowledge, creativity, and faith will guide them throughout their lives and help them contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Our thematic creative curriculum prepares our children for the future by providing them with a well-rounded education that incorporates a variety of teaching methods and learning experiences that are engaging and meaningful to children.
A modern approach to teaching and learning
We believe in fostering an environment where teaching extends beyond traditional direct instruction, encouraging our students to become more engaged in their learning journey. Our educational approach combines flexible, interactive, and personalised methods, allowing our students to develop vital skills such as collaboration, communication, and creativity, thus preparing them to thrive in the 21st century, just as the mustard seed grows into a flourishing tree.
It’s important to understand the difference between passive and interactive teaching methods.
Passive teaching is a way of teaching where the teacher presents information to children that requires little to no active participation from the class. This method is good for teaching basic skills and knowledge, but it’s not always the best way to teach, because it doesn’t always help students think for themselves or solve problems.
In contrast, interactive teaching is designed to engage children and encourage them to participate in their own learning. These methods often involve hands-on activities, group work, and problem-solving tasks that require children to think critically and independently.
To prepare our children for the challenges of the 21st century, we promote the use of interactive teaching to help our children develop the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
Purposeful integration of technology
Echoing our Christian ethos of nurturing and growth, we equip our children with a wide array of technological tools, such as green screen recording, QR codes, video recording, and 3D world builders, to enhance their learning experience. Ensuring technology is readily accessible in the classroom, we empower our students to produce personal and powerful responses, fostering joyful, memorable, and spiritually enriching learning experiences, in line with our commitment to develop life-long learners.
Many schools today have access to technology in their learning environments. While technology can be a valuable tool for education, it is important that it is used in the right way. If a teacher simply uses technology for the sake of using it, without considering how it can support learning, it can be a distraction for children and be less effective at achieving the desired learning objective.
At our school, we use technology in our classrooms with purpose. We view technology as a tool that we can use to enhance and support the learning process in a way that is intentional, relevant, and designed to achieve specific goals. We carefully plan and implement the use of technology to engage and motivate our children, facilitate collaboration and communication, provide them access to a wealth of information and resources, and support a variety of learning styles and needs.
We believe that using technology in this way can greatly benefit our children’s learning experiences, and we are committed to using it in a responsible and effective way.
We're a Microsoft Showcase School!
We are a Microsoft Showcase School for 2025-26 – a prestigious achievement, with only hundreds of schools around the world achieving the accolade each year.
Microsoft has recognised our school as a member of an elite group of global schools that exemplify the best of teaching and learning in the world today.
Microsoft Showcase Schools are a global community of schools engaged in digital transformation to improve teaching and learning. Showcase Schools create immersive and inclusive experiences that inspire lifelong learning, stimulating development of essential life skills so students are empowered to achieve more.
Showcase schools use Microsoft’s Education Transformation Framework to drive a culture of learning, innovation, and continuous improvement.
There are currently under 100 schools in the United Kingdom that have achieved Showcase School status.
Devices for every child
To enable us to deliver a truly personal learning experience for every child, technology is readily accessible in every single year group.
Once a child enters Year 3, they will each receive an iPad and iPad pen which will be taken with them all the way until they leave for secondary school.
If children are excited about a topic and wish to carry on with their own independent research or even complete digital homework, they can take their device home!
By giving them their own device, our children can learn at their own pace and can work together with others and share ideas more easily.
We can provide more opportunities for personalised learning, as children can use their devices to access content and learning experiences that are tailored to their individual needs and interests.
With all children having access to the same resources and opportunities for learning, we can support the success of all children, regardless of their individual abilities or needs.
A Child-centred, collaborative environment
We strive to break away from the constraints of traditional classroom settings that limit children to front-facing desks and encourage a more dynamic, child-centred learning environment. Upholding our Christian values of collaboration and individual growth, we offer flexible classroom furniture that allows children to move around, adjust according to the current learning activity, and interact with their peers. This fosters social skills, encourages teamwork, and also supports independent work, reflecting our commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals ready to contribute positively to our community.
In our child-centred classrooms, the emphasis is on child-led learning and the development of critical thinking skills rather than learning through direct instruction and memorisation. Our teachers facilitate and support learning instead of transmitting information directly to the children and expecting them to learn from it.
In addition to traditional desks and chairs, in our child-centred classrooms, we use flexible seating to enhance the learning experience by allowing children to choose the seating arrangement that works best for them. This means the classroom environment can support different learning styles and needs.
For example, some children may prefer to sit on a comfortable beanbag chair, while others may prefer to stand at a standing desk. By providing a range of seating options, our teachers can accommodate the individual preferences and needs of their children, which can help them to be more engaged and focused in the classroom.
A close knit community
We are devoted to creating an inclusive community where parents feel welcome, involved, and appreciated. Regular invitations are extended to parents to join us in school to celebrate their children’s achievements, providing an opportunity to witness first-hand the progress, growth, and development of their child’s skills, knowledge, and creativity. These events not only strengthen our community bonds but also provide a platform for children to take pride in their accomplishments and share their learning, reflecting our commitment to fostering a nurturing and supportive Christian community.
Throughout the year, we organise various events that encourage parental attendance and participation. These events include:
Curriculum Workshops: Parents are invited to attend these informative evenings to learn more about the curriculum, teaching methods, and classroom expectations. This allows parents to better support their child’s learning journey at home.
Parents evenings: Regular meetings between parents and teachers foster open communication and provide an opportunity to discuss a child’s progress, strengths, and areas for improvement.
Special Assemblies: During these events, we celebrate our children’s achievements, showcase their talents, and recognise their hard work.
Family Workshops: We host interactive workshops for parents and children, designed to help families better understand various subjects and engage in fun, educational activities together.
Annual School Fairs and Festivals: Our school organises fairs and festivals throughout the year, providing an opportunity for families to come together, have fun, and strengthen the sense of community within the school.
By actively engaging parents in their child’s education, we promote a supportive and collaborative learning environment that benefits both children and families. We are committed to maintaining strong connections with parents and encouraging their involvement in the educational journey of their children.
We are a Church of England School
We are driven by our deep rooted Christian commitment to the children’s well-being and education. We want to develop a safe and exciting environment where all God’s children flourish through opportunities and collaboration in a nurturing environment to become lifelong learners.
A caring, supportive and responsive EYFS
We strive to provide an Early Years environment that is caring, supportive, and attuned to each child’s individual needs. We believe in the importance of outdoor play and exploration, promoting learning experiences that bring children in direct contact with nature. By interacting with the weather, seasons, and the natural world, children can exercise their curiosity, engage their senses, and enjoy physical activity, fostering a well-rounded development in line with our Christian values.
Playing outside is important for children’s overall development, as it provides a wide range of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive benefits. Here are four reasons why using the outdoor environment is important in the early years:
Physical development: Playing outside helps children to develop their gross motor skills, such as running, jumping, and climbing, as well as their fine motor skills, such as grasping and manipulating small objects.
Social development: Exploring the outdoor environment gives children the opportunity to interact with their peers and develop social skills, such as cooperation, communication, and conflict resolution.
Emotional development: Being outside can help children to feel calm, happy, and connected to nature, which can improve their emotional well-being.
Cognitive development: Outdoor play can also support children’s cognitive development, as it provides opportunities for exploration, discovery, and problem-solving.
Wrap-around care
We recognise the importance of providing childcare options to assist working parents.
Adisham CE Primary School is open from 7:30am – 6:00pm Monday to Friday.
As well as our Breakfast Club and After School Club, we offer a range of free Extra-Curricular Clubs every term that children can take part in after school.
Breakfast Club is booked online using the Arbor App and is paid for at the time of booking.
Breakfast club runs from 7:30am – 8:30am at the cost of £3.25 per child. Children are offered a wide range of breakfast meals and use the space in the main hall to play games and spend time with their classmates.
If you’re unsure how to book a club in Arbor, you can follow the guides on our FAQ.
After School Club is booked online using the Arbor App and is paid for at the time of booking.
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The After School Club will run Monday to Friday and is split into two sessions. The Twilight session is from 3:15pm until 4:30pm and the Late session is from 4:15pm until 6:00pm.
| Twilight Session | 3:15pm until 4:30pm | £4 |
| After Enrichment Club Session | 4:15pm until 6:00pm | £6 |
| Both Sessions | 3:15pm until 6:00pm | £10 |
The After School Club will offer a wide range of activities for the children and provide drinks and a freshly prepared fruit snack for all children. For those children that stay on for the late session, a picnic snack will be provided, which varies on a daily basis.
Payments must be made in advance, either termly, monthly, weekly or daily. There are no exceptions to this as it is essential that the club in self-financing.
If you are late collecting your child, an extra charge of £1 will be incurred for every 5 minutes past 6:00pm.
If you’re unsure how to book a club in Arbor, you can follow the guides on our FAQ.
We offer an extensive range of Extra Curricular clubs throughout the year which are booked using the Arbor App.
Please note that all clubs have a restricted number of places.
The clubs start at 3.15pm and finish at 4.15pm.
Choices for clubs will be sent to parents every term.
If you’re unsure how to book a club in Arbor, you can follow the guides on our FAQ.
An Inclusive School
We are committed to provide equal educational opportunities to all children, regardless of their abilities, backgrounds, or experiences.
Our classrooms are inclusive and recognise and value the diversity of children and create a learning environment where all pupils feel supported, valued, and challenged.
We use a variety of teaching methods and materials that cater to the diverse learning needs of children. This can include using visual aids, hands-on activities, and technology to help students understand and engage with the material.
By fostering a positive, supportive, and inclusive learning environment, inclusive classrooms help children develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in school and beyond.
We are committed to delivering a fully inclusive environment by providing equitable opportunities for all. Our approach is underpinned by our core values of collaboration, inclusion, ambition, innovation and nurture.
We believe that all children have the right to succeed and we aim to meet the individual needs of our pupils at all times. There will be no barriers to achievement within our learning community and our teachers will build strong relationships to facilitate the learning of all. We hold the same expectations for pupils with special educational needs and/ or disabilities (SEND) as for those without but remain fully aware that some children require a different approach in order to achieve success.
- Adaptations are made to teaching to enable us to deliver personalised learning that is tailored to meet academic, social and wellbeing needs
- Through the innovative use of digital technology, we will create a level playing field for all children, irrespective of their language skills, reading ability or any other factors that may present learning challenges
- Our schools are flexible learning environments that are tailored to equip all children with the skills needed for the 21st century
- We are able to provide a wide range of interventions and strategies which will minimise barriers to learning in an engaging way that is fun and simulating
- Child voice is an integral part of decision making
- We have a joined-up approach to supporting the success of every child which is built on working collaboratively with families, with expertise within The Stour Academy Trust and with outside agencies
For full, detailed information about our support for children with SEND please view our SEN Policy and SEN Information Report on our key information page.
We follow the Mainstream Core Standards. This Kent guidance outlines support for children with SEND.
Mainstream Core Standards Guide For Parents
Further information about services and opportunities for children with SEND is outlined in the Kent Local Offer.
www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs
Click here for the latest Kent SEND newsletter for families:-
Support and advice is also available from IASK.
A commitment to well-being
We prepare children to succeed in their personal and professional lives by nurturing both their thinking and social-emotional skills.
We define bullying as “deliberately hurtful behaviour that is repeated over a period of time.” Bullying can take many forms, but the three main types are physical, verbal and indirect.
We encourage parents to inform us immediately if they suspect their child is being bullied. The sooner we know, the sooner we can act to stop it! Please see our anti-bullying policy for further details, including early signs of distress.
Bullying will not be tolerated in our school. It is everyone’s responsibility to prevent it happening and our policy contains guidelines for all members of the school community.
Our school takes part in the National ‘Anti-bullying week’ each year.
Throughout the year, children are encouraged to report all incidents of bullying to an adult and are supported in developing strategies to combat it, including the use of discussion and role play. Children are also taught awareness of ‘Cyber bullying’ throughout the year and this form of bullying will be dealt with in the same robust manner as any other form of bullying.
Year 5 and 6 children are trained as ‘buddies’ to support any pupil who may feel susceptible to bullying or for those who may behave in a bullying way.
Nurture is at the heart of the school where we offer short term, inclusive, focused interventions to help with SEBD needs.
Our nurture room is a calm and inviting base for the children. We provide an inclusive curriculum where we work on literacy including Language Through Colour, maths and phonics.
In literacy we use a focus books that appeal to the children which allows us to offer them a stimulating and colourful learning experience.
Within the Nurture room we also address other aspects of development using child focused, tailor made interventions such as fine motor skills, sensory needs and social and emotional support. All of which are led by the 6 Principles of nurture:
Where needs are identified, well-being interventions will be implemented following a discussion with parents/carers. These may take place in a separate area or may form part of provision within the classroom. All classrooms have a dedicated area where children may withdraw to when they are feeling less settled and need to be in a quieter area in order to focus on their learning tasks. We call it the ‘calm down’ area.
Our aim is to ensure that not only do all pupils feel happy, secure and valued but that they are also able to work in a calm, pleasant and purposeful environment without disruption.
A smooth transition to reception
Do you want to help your child’s transition into their first year at school?
Children starting school this September are warmly invited to stay and play with our current Snowdrop class on Tuesday afternoons 2:30pm to 3pm.
Starting on Tuesday 13th January at 2.30 pm please join us on the carpet for a story. We will then have activities for children to explore until the end of the session at 3pm.
After signing in, you are welcome to join us or leave your child in our care, if you and they feel ready.
Our activities are seasonal and may be inside, outside or both so please ensure your child has a waterproof coat.
If you would like further information please contact the school office who will be happy to help.
Memorable residential opportunities
Every year, all Year 4 children across The Stour Academy Trust are given the opportunity to attend a residential camping weekend — completely free of charge to families.
This fantastic event, held over two weekends in June, is often the first time many children stay away from home. Organised with the aim of creating lasting memories and building confidence, the residential is a key milestone in our pupils’ primary journey.
Set in the spacious grounds of Sturry CE Primary School in Canterbury, children camp for two nights in large 8-person tents and take part in a variety of exciting team-building and adventure-style activities. It’s also a great opportunity for children to make new friends from other schools in the Trust.
This year’s residential was made possible thanks to a combined effort from the Trust, school fundraising, and generous donations. With no cost to families, the residential remains one of the most popular and treasured experiences for our children.
Every year, all Year 6 children in The Stour Academy Trust are given the opportunity to attend a paid for camping residential week.
Taking place during a week in June, Year 6 children will travel by coach to 4th Dimension Outdoor Activity Centre in East Sussex.
Children camp for 4 nights and can take part in a huge variety of activities including:
- Zip Wires
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Rock Climbing
- Abseiling
- Climbing Indoors
- Archery
- Swimming
For more information about 4th Dimension, please visit their website here.
Part of a transformative Multi Academy Trust
Adisham CE Primary School is part of The Stour Academy Trust, a Multi Academy Trust of 9 Primary Schools across Kent.
The Stour Academy Trust has set out to transform schools to better prepare our young people for the 21st century.