Read below to find out more about some of the different activities we have been getting up to; from sporting and musical activities, to visitors and 'wow' days. We are looking forward to helping our children 'explore and grow' further in 2025-26.

• Christmas Plays

  Wed 14 Dec 2016 M Davis

  This year's Christmas productions saw another fantastic Nativity, 'The Bethlehem Builders', performed by classes 1 and 2, and a great pantomime 'Cinderella' performed by class 3.

   

  'The Bethlehem Builders' followed the nativity from the point of view of the builders in Bethlehem, who had so much to do preparing for all the extra visitors who were being asked to visit Bethlehem as part of the census. With rousing music and some accomplished acting, the story was well told and Mary and Joseph were soon safely ensconced in the stable for the birth of their son. Both performances were fantastic, with enthusiastic singing and confident delivery of lines. Well done to all involved.

   

  'Cinderella' was another staff-penned pantomime performed by our older children. The ugly sisters and their mother were 'stunning' in both their outfits and in their acting! There was great singing, dancing and many fine performances from the children. Cinderella safely made it to the ball, thanks to her fairy godparents, and finally married her prince. A huge congratulations to the whole cast.

   

  Thanks must also go to all the staff who worked hard behind the scenes writing and adapting scripts, rehearsing songs and dances and putting the finished productions together.

• FOEGS Christmas Fayre

  Fri 09 Dec 2016 M Davis

  Friday 9th December saw the second annual FOEGS Christmas Fayre in the school hall after school. It was  lovely to see so many of our parents get involved, either by baking a cake, donating raffle and tombola prizes, donating second hand toys and books, or by manning a stall. Face painting was popular, and there were some great bargains to be had on the second hand stall.

   

  A huge thank you to all of those who helped behind the scenes, including many parents and governors. The children all had a fantastic time, and over £300 has been raised for FOEGS funds, which will be used to support the work of the school.

• Carols at Rutland Care Village

  Fri 09 Dec 2016 M Davis

  This year we were invited to take some children to sing at Rutland Care Village in Oakham for the first time. Nine of our older children joined with Mrs Davis and her guitar to entertain some of the residents with some traditional, and not so traditional carols. It was lovely to sing to, and with, the residents and to share our love of all things Christmassy!

   

  Well done to all of those involved, who sang brilliantly. I was particularly impressed that the children were keen to share the chocolates we were given as a thank you with all those who were left back at school. What generous, kind children you are!

• Carols Round the Tree

  Fri 02 Dec 2016 M Davis

  At 6pm on Friday 2nd December we joined with the residents of Exton to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas to sing Carols at the annual lighting of the village Christmas tree. Each year, lights on the tree are sponsored in memory of loved ones. The school help by leading the singing. This year, more than 100 people were there to join in the carols, and a good time was had by all.

• Community Lunch

  Thu 01 Dec 2016 M Davis

  On Thursday 1st December we welcomed 30 members of the local community to the school for our Christmas Community lunch.

   

  Lizzie put on a fantastic spread with a full Christmas Dinner, followed by Christmas pudding. All plates were returned clean!

   

  The children then joined the community in the hall to share some of their Christmas songs. Classes 1 and 2 shared 3 songs from their nativity and Class 3 sang some carols and shared a song from their pantomime.

   

  A good time was had by all!

• The Great Fire of London

  Wed 30 Nov 2016 M Davis

  Following their topic on the Great Fire of London, Class 2 were very excited to welcome Stef Douglas, one of our parents, governors and a member of the local Fire Service to school to help them recreate the Great Fire of London.

   

  The children had spent the week before creating houses in the style of those found in London in 1666. These were carefully put out on the school field to recreate a London street. Stef carefully supervised the next step, putting all his fire fighting expertise in practice.

   

  The Great Fire of London started in a bakery on Pudding Lane, and a house at one end of our 'street' was chosen to take this role. Stef carefully set this house on fire, and then we watched see what happened. It was astounding how quickly the fire spread along the street and how quickly the houses were reduced to ash.

   

  There was much discussion about how lucky we are to now have a fire service, as this was not available to the people of London in 1666, and buckets of water from the Thames were not much use.

   

  A huge thank you to Stef for coming and supervising this activity and for sharing his knowledge of fire fighting with us.

  
   

  

• Friday Afternoons

  Fri 18 Nov 2016 M Davis

  On Friday morning, Class 3 joined with children from other schools in the county to take part in a national event based on the music of Benjamin Britten.

   

  Benjamin Britten was an English composer who composed many pieces of famous music, including a piece for children called 'Friday Afternoons'. Composers have been writing music to compliment these pieces that have been available for children to sing this term and Rutland Music Hub organised an event to bring together children from Rutland Schools to sing some of these songs together.

   

  On Friday morning Class 3 went to Oakham School Chapel to work with the Director of Music at Oakham School, Mr Davis, to practise these songs and create a recording.

   

  Miss Bevins and Mr Chalkley, our Chair of Governors, accompanied the children and were very impressed with how well they sang, and how well behaved the children were for a concentrated morning of singing.

   

  Mrs Davis has been enjoying listening to the recording this weekend, and is looking forward to sharing the finished product with the whole school next week.

• Children in Need

  Fri 18 Nov 2016 M Davis

  On Friday we celebrated Children in Need by coming into school in 'something spotty'. We have supported Children in Need for a number of years and it is an event that our children and families always support well.

   

  The children were asked to donate a pound for coming in something spotty - but many families donated more, and we are looking at a total of nearly £70 at current counting. Well done to all who donated.

• Remembrance Day

  Fri 11 Nov 2016 M Davis

   

  On Remembrance Day, Acts of Remembrance were carried out both within the school community and in the village.

   

  Our younger children had time to reflect on what Remembrance Day is about, before taking part in a short Act of Remembrance in their classrooms.

   

  Class 3 had spent the week writing poems about Remembrance, which have been gathered together into a book. They then walked down to the village War Memorial, where we joined with the community to take part in the village Act of Remembrance.

   

  After the two minute silence, the names were read of people from the village, the estate and the surrounding area who had given their lives during wars. Our year 6 children then read their poems to share their thoughts with the community.

   

  Daniel proudly wore his father's medals on our visit to the War Memorial. Many of our children have parents who are currently serving, or who have served in the Armed Forces, and it is right that we are able to share this day with them as well as the local community.

• SIAMS Inspection

  Fri 14 Oct 2016 M Davis

  A few weeks ago we had a visit from a SIAMS inspector. This was to carry out our Statutory Inspection as a church school. This inspection focuses on three main areas: how the school, through its distinctive Christian Character is good at meeting the needs of all learners; the impact of collective worship on the school community; and the effectiveness of leadership and management.

   

  I am very pleased to announce that our report has been published and we have again been rated as ‘good’ in all areas.

   

  The school has been particularly praised for its 'family feel' which 'thrives on its Christian approach to learning' where 'everyone in the community feels nurtured and treasured.' We  are always proud of our children and their self-awareness of themselves both in and out of the school community. Indeed the report states: 'Pupils positively enjoy their learning and value their friendships and teachers within this accepting Christian community where every child matters to God and the school community. As a result, they become confident, honest and non-judgemental individuals.'

   

  We will be working over the next few years on our action points which include developing the children's opportunities by developing our 'programme of visits and visitors to enable pupils to meet people of faiths other than Christianity more frequently to enhance their learning and support their spiritual and cultural development.' Watch this space!

   

  Thank you to all those who took the time to talk to the inspector about what makes our school special. During the day the inspector spoke to staff, governors, members of the local churches, children and parents.

   

  The sentence from the report that shines for me is that 'Parents embrace the inclusivity of this small rural school and welcome the fact that 'all walks of life have such a good grounding here.''

   

  The full report can be found on our 'Useful Documents' page.