The school gates are open at 8.35am for parents to access the site. The first bell rings at 8.40am and children can enter their classroom. The second bell rings at 8.50am and signifies the start of school. After the second bell has rung the classroom door will be closed and parents will need to bring their child to reception and sign in via the sign in screen. As the second bell rings all external gates are locked to secure the site. The school gates are unlocked at 2.55pm for parents to access the site for collection at 3.05pm. The gates are locked at 3.15pm as after school clubs are still in session. For collection from all clubs the gates are opened at 4.05pm. If parents require access to the school for any reason this must be via the main reception.

Outside each classroom, a path leads directly to two hard play areas with seating, litterbins, drinking fountains and play equipment.

The hard play areas are surrounded by grass with mature and young trees.

The school field, which has several play structures, is used during fine weather for physical education sessions.

Assemblies

Our assemblies reflect the Essex Local authority RE Curriculum and explore the customs and festivals of other religions. Assemblies are usually held on the mornings of: 

Monday − Assembly
Wednesday − Singing Assembly
Friday − Celebration Assembly

Conservation Area

We are very fortunate to have tucked in the corner of the Perry Street playground our very own 'Conservation Area'. The seeds for this area were first planted in 1988 by Mrs Butcher (a former Deputy Head), with help from our very active Parents Association. Over the years it has grown and matured, providing enjoyment for many of the pupils as they look at the changing seasons whilst searching for minibeasts! All classes visit the area regularly during the year, but as with any area with plants and shrubs, regular maintenance is required. 

Vegetable Garden

Tucked away, behind our Year Two demountable classrooms, we have a vegetable garden. The eight 'raised beds' were originally dug out by the late Mr Bishop. Hence the garden is in memory of him and named "Mr Bishops' garden". The Year 1 and Year 2 children are regularly involved in planting and caring for: green vegetables, runner and broad beans, root vegetables and sunflowers,
all of which they grow from seed. The children also help to weed the beds and ensure that the growing plants are well watered.

The Autumn Term is always very exciting because the children help to dig out the grown vegetables and prepare them for making a delicious vegetable soup, which fits in with the year 2 autumn topic about Healthy Living.

There is usually an abundance of vegetables, so many are kept back to help to add to our Harvest Assembly display. Some may also be cooked in the school kitchen.

Growing our own vegetables helps the children to understand where these foods come from
and what conditions are needed for them to grow successfully.