Welcome

A very warm welcome to Richard Durning’s Endowed

Primary and Nursery School

We hope that you find our website useful and prospective new parents are always warmly welcomed to come and view school. It is by visiting our school that you truly experience the warm, nurturing environment that we offer our children.

In October 2013 Ofsted awarded Richard Durning’s the “Outstanding” status in all areas. Since this date we are continuing to work hard to deliver an outstanding curriculum and environment for all our children.

We strongly believe that children are at the heart of all we do. The starting point for our teaching and plans is based on the children’s needs, questions and interests. Our children help drive our curriculum. We have six Curriculum Drivers which are derived from ensuring our children leave us at the end of year 6 as happy, resilient, confident, respectful, independent individuals who also have a high standard of achievement and attainment.

If you would like a paper copy of any information found on our school website, please speak to the school office who will provide this free of charge.

Our staff, children, parents and governors are extremely proud of our school. Come and see our wonderful school in action, call Mrs Hodgson to make an appointment on 01257 462968 or email head@richarddurnings.lancs.sch.uk.

Facilities
The original building was extended in 1940, 1967 and 2011.  A new class room was built in 2011 specifically for the early years children, complete with a wonderful outdoor play area. An excellent playing field is available and is used for PE and playing during lunch and break times. There are 4 classrooms – Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby and Diamond. Interactive whiteboards in each classroom are used to stimulate children's learning. We have a portable computer suite comprising of laptops and IPads and permanent computers in each classroom. The school is well equipped with libraries - both class and central. 

Organisation
At Richard Durning's the children are based 4 classes for the majority of the week. These are nursery and reception, years 1 & 2, years 3 & 4, years 5 & 6. The classes are therefore mixed age and mixed ability. The curriculum is organised so that the children can proceed to any level appropriate to their ability.

Durning's Ducklings Nursery

Our nursery offers 30 hours free early education and childcare hours within our Early Years Class. Children may start our nursery after they have turned three and parents are welcome to use the free 30 hour childcare vouchers. Nursery care is available from Monday to Friday from 9am to 3.30pm. Miss Foley, Early Years Teacher and Mrs Hodson, Teaching Assistant, run our Early Years Provision. Nursery children may also access our Out of School Club which runs from 8:00am until 8:50am and from 3:30pm to 6pm daily.  

Nursery children spend time each day socialising with the Reception children in the Early Years Classroom and sometime in the Duckling Room/Early Years Outdoor Garden. The curriculum and learning activities which we provide are carefully matched to each child's level of learning and needs. Each child has their own Learning Journey on Tapestry which is a record of their achievements, fun and experiences.

The activities the Ducklings take part in are all based on the same topic being taught in Reception Class. One of the children's favourites is dinosaurs and unicorns. The children love making dinosaur fossils, painting, inventing and creating new dinosaur lands. They also really enjoy exploring our school field and their very own outdoor garden. There is also have a new construction area and they enjoy developing and experimenting with all the different materials and resources. The children also take part in lots of other activities such as mask making, small world play inside the class room. Throughout the morning the children are provided with a healthy snack and get to play outside on the school field and outdoor play equipment or in the Early Years school garden.

We believe that `Ducklings' is the perfect way to introduce your child slowly to school, enabling the transition from nursery school environment to school environment an easy and natural one.  

If you would like any further details or a registration/information pack about Richard Durning's Nursery, please contact Mrs Hodgson on 01257 462968.

We are grateful to the PTFA and the Trustees of Richard Durning's Charity for much support and extra provision.