Benwick County Primary School

In 1871 a school board was established, in order to provide elementary education. Benwick County Primary School was opened in 1873 to educate 216 children (152 mixed and 62 infants) it cost £1,590 including a teacher's house. The school was reorganized in 1939 and became a junior school for just 128 children. The current Headteacher is Mrs Gill Thomas who took over from Robert Glozier in 2002. There are 5 teachers and 8 teaching assistants. Benwick school is very well equipped with digital projectors in each class room.

Members of Staff

Mrs. Gill Thomas - Headteacher

Mrs J. North- Assistant Headteacher

Other Teachers:
Mrs N. Mitchell:
Mrs E. Miller
Mrs S. Curson
Mrs E Tkocz

Teaching Assistants:
Mrs C. Barnes
Mrs J. Fell
Mrs J. Few
Mrs N. Hinson
Mrs J Litchfield
Mrs C Robinson
Mrs L Rushbrook
Mrs K Sharper

Class Room Support Assistant:
Mrs. J Fiore

After School Club Leaders:
Mrs J Fiore
Mrs N Hinson

Breakfast Club Leaders:
Mrs J Fell
Ms D White

Secretary:
Mrs. Brenda Baker

Lunchtime Supervisors:
Mrs L. Hunt
Mrs S. Marshall
Mrs T. Watson
Mrs B. Shaw

Cook:
Mrs C Spencer

Cleaner:
Mrs. B Shaw

School Governors

Chair:
Dr. Mark Tyler (community governor)

Vice Chair:
Mr. Ian Beevor (parent governor)

Others:
Mrs. Gill Thomas (Headteacher)
Mr. Carl Knight (Parent Governor)
Mr. Doug Rose (Parent Governor)
Mrs. Amanda Bakewell (Parent Governor)
Mr. Ron Taylor (LEA Governor)
Mr. Alan Strong (Community Governor)
Mrs. Angela Heyes (Community Governor)
Mrs. Jackie Clayton (Teacher Governor)
Mrs. Lesley Rushbrook (Support Staff Governor)

Clerk to Governors:
Mrs. J Pettit

Minutes Clerk:
Mrs. Mary Tyler

Children in years 1-6 follow the National Curriculum; which is split into several stages depending on the school year; at the end of the two key stages which the pupils at Benwick School fall into; there are SAT's examination. Pupils in years 1 and 2 are in Key Stage 1 and those in year 3, 4, 5 & 6 are in Key Stage 2.

Homework is set for all pupils at school. Every child has their own book bag and reading diary. Reading is the primary homework for those in KS1, but as they move into KS2 there is more regular homework; there is a homework club after school for years 5 and 6 pupils.

The Benwick Badgers Breakfast Club

From 7:45 to 8:45am each day in the Children's Centre there is the Breakfast Club ran by Jenny Fell and Denise White. Breakfast is served at 8:20 and the cost is only £2.50 each morning. At the end the children are taken onto the school play ground before starting school.

The Benwick Badgers After School Club

The Benwick Badgers after school club began in 2004 and is popular with the children, it is ran from the Children's Centre which is next to the School. It runs from 3:30 to 5:30pm and costs only £2.75 for the first hour or £4.75 for both hours. There is a variety of activities the children can partake in or they can just sit and watch a DVD, it is open to all children of Primary School Age; ran by Nikki Hinson and Janice Fiore.

Friends Of Benwick School

The Friends of Benwick School are a group of Parents and teachers who try and arrange events to raise money for extras which the school budget doesn't allow; in the past year the they fundraised in order to give the pupils:

    ♦ Trip to Stibbington for Class 3 & 1
    ♦ Coach to Kingswood
    ♦ African Day
    ♦ Year 6 Leavers Presents
    ♦ Literacy Books
    ♦ Wooden Outdoor Tables
    ♦ Foundation Area Toys
    ♦ Whole School Trip to the Pantomime
    ♦ Refurbishment of the Outdoor Area

The Friends of Benwick School managed all this through the events such as the Family Barbeque, Beetle Drives, Stalls at Village Events, Cake Stall at Ramsey Market, Bingo Nights, Race Nights and the May Fayre. They also collect the Nestle Box Tops, Persil Tokens and empty ink cartridges and aluminium cans/foil. If you have any of these pass them on to the school to help.

There is also a monthly draw where a number is purchased for £1, each month three numbers are drawn for winnings of £100, £50 or £25 the remainder then goes to the school.

Current Committee:
Chair: Mrs Hannah Shaw
Vice-Chair: Mrs Teresa Gouding
Secretary: Mrs Lisa Beevor
Treasurer: Mrs Lesley Brook

The School Day

School gates are opened at 8:45, and the children have ten minutes of play before they have to go in for morning lessons; which start at 8:55. At 10:30 they have break for 15 minutes, and then have more lessons until 12:10 when its lunch time.

The new canteen was built in 1999 and serves a variety of healthy meals, this costs just £9.25 a week; which is paid each Monday. Others bring a packed lunch. Some children are eligible for free school meals and can apply through the school.

Afternoon lessons begin at 1:10 and the children have a second break at 2:30 for another 15 minutes; then another 35 minutes of lessons before school finishes at 3:20.

Benwick School has been an important part of village life for many years; it is maintained by Cambridgeshire County Council. At the last count there were 86 pupils on roll. It received a very good Ofsted this year:

"Benwick School provides its pupils with a good quality education"
"At the core of the school's success are good leadership and management"
"Pupils are safe and secure"
"Pupils show a good level of respect"
"Teaching and Learning is good"