Little Gaddesden Church of England Primary School
Our School and Community
We are a Church of England village school, founded in 1854. Originally based in a back room at the nearby Bridgewater Arms, the school moved to its current site in 1858. Since then our buildings have grown considerably, and we are now a fully-equipped, modern primary school, with about 100 children aged between four and eleven. As a voluntary aided school, linked to the Diocese of St Albans, our popularity is based on our Christian values and our rural location.
The School has a close association with the parish church, which is dedicated to St Peter & St Paul. The village hall, next to the school, is the venue for many clubs and activities, including the Pre-School Group. Opposite is the sports field, used by the school and by village teams. There is a village shop, with post office, and a lively pub, the Bridgewater Arms.
Several interesting characters have been closely associated with the school. Florence Wright was a pupil for eight years, and subsequently taught at the school for 46 years, from 1891 to 1937. Vicars Bell, headmaster between 1929 and 1963, was also a well-known author and lecturer. Among his books are two volumes about Little Gaddesden, an account of his career as a village schoolmaster and several detective novels. The school library is named after him, and it is kept stocked with books through his bequest to the school.
Aims of the School
Within a Christian ethos, Little Gaddesden School aims:-
- to provide a happy, supportive and caring environment, in which children can learn with a sense of purpose, enjoyment and self-fulfilment;
- to enable all our children to achieve their full potential through a broad, balanced and interesting curriculum, including the requirements of the Foundation Stage and National Curriculum, enabling them to gain the personal skills necessary to live as independent, self-motivated and caring individuals;
- to provide an attractive, safe and stimulating environment;
- to encourage members of the school community to take a personal pride in themselves, their work, their achievements and their school, and to value and respect all cultures;
- to promote good standards of behaviour and self-discipline, and to encourage pupils to take responsibility for themselves and the school environment;
- to develop the successful working relationship between staff, governors and parents, to ensure that high academic and social standards are achieved and maintained;
- to encourage the children to feel part of, and to contribute to, the life of the village community.
See our website www.littlegaddesden.herts.sch.uk for more about the school.
Contact
Lorna Elkes, Head Teacher
01442 842464
admin@littlegaddesden.herts.sch.uk
www.littlegaddesden.herts.sch.uk
Header image: Little Gaddesden School