Welcome from the Headteacher

On behalf of all the children, staff, governors and parents, it gives me great pleasure to introduce you to Pitton Church of England Primary School, part of Pickwick Academy Trust. 

Pitton is a small family school set in the most beautiful of settings about five miles east of Salisbury. Our children are nurtured and inspired to grow and succeed academically, emotionally, spiritually and socially. Parents tell us how much they value the schools close knit family atmosphere and how much their children enjoy coming to Pitton School. 

Many parents from outside of the allocated catchment area of Pitton, Farley and East Grimstead, send their children to Pitton CofE Primary School. This is a result of our dedication in providing a holistic learning experience where children feel safe and supported by every member of our community. Our small setting provides a strong family environment which promotes growth, fulfilment and achievement academically, emotionally, spiritually and socially. Growth mind-set is at the heart of our community, involved in every aspect of school life. We motivate and support each other to tackle new challenges, persevere and stretch ourselves. We are committed to ensuring every child feels unique, valued and integral to our school community. We strive to be pillars of the community, who respect and make a positive difference to the world around us; and for every one of us to be a role model, who inspires a love of learning and the sharing of success. Our school takes pride in leading the children on their journey to acquire the skills and attributes needed to achieve their dreams and aspirations in the future. 

As a Church of England school, we benefit from a very close and supportive link with Salisbury Diocese and the village church of St. Peter's, Pitton. Our most recent SIAMS report (June 2019) we were graded Good. The report recognised the impact of our vision: ‘Pupils talk about friendship, belonging to a school family and wanting to do their best as being at the root of what makes them want to come to school and to learn’.

In addition to our spacious classrooms and hall, we have sports pitches, a gazebo, a yurt, an outdoor amphitheatre and a secluded garden area. We also have our own access to the Clarendon Way which enables us to walk up to the forest and explore the ruins of the historic Clarendon Palace.

Mixed Year Group Classrooms

Guiding Principles: The core philosophies of the school's mixed-age approach are based around how mixed age classes, when well-planned and supported, foster creativity, resilience and holistic development for all children involved:

Enhanced Social Skills: Children in mixed age classes interact with peers of various ages, which fosters collaboration, improves communication, and nurtures friendships beyond their immediate year group. Older children often act as role models and mentors, instilling leadership and responsibility, while younger students benefit from positive behaviour modelling and support.

Individualised Learning and Differentiation: Teachers are able to provide more personalised instruction by working with the same group of children over several years, leading to a deeper understanding of each child’s needs and strengths. Flexible grouping and tailored activities allow all students to progress at their own rates, with lessons designed to cater for varied abilities and learning styles. 

Academic and Personal Growth: Studies suggest that mixed age settings support or even improve academic achievement, as students are challenged according to their ability rather than confined by age expectations. Children build self-confidence and a stronger self-concept by contributing to a community and seeing themselves as unique learners with valuable strengths.

Broader learning Opportunities: Mixed age classes nurture independence and problem-solving skills, particularly in subjects like Maths and English where older pupils can deepen their understanding while helping younger ones. Exposure to a wider range of vocabulary and experiences enhances communication and thinking across subjects.

Sense of Community and Belonging: These environments help create a greater sense of community, cooperation, and empathy, as children form connections with a broader group of peers and feel valued within a supportive setting.

We hope very much that you will visit our school to see how our learning environment and extensive grounds can be the ideal place for your child to thrive in their primary school education.

As well as the many sports events we take part in, we also offer a wide-range of before and after school activity clubs, including sports, drama, music lessons, choir, band and computing. 

If you have any queries about our school, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be delighted to hear from you.

Yours sincerely

Emma Wilkinson

Headteacher