Winterton PrimarySchool & Nursery
Our family of schools
-
Barnby and North Cove Primary School
-
Glebeland Primary School
-
Helmingham Primary School and Nursery
-
Kirkley Nursery
-
Mendham Primary School
-
Middleton Primary School
-
Reedham Primary School
-
Rendlesham Primary School
-
Southwold Primary School
-
St Edmund's Primary School
-
Warren School
-
Henley Primary School
-
Yoxford & Peasenhall Primary Academy
-
Winterton Primary School and Nursery
-
Riverwalk School
Class Information
As a small rural school, we adapt our class cohorts to meet the individual needs of all our pupils. Our three classes are organised into phases, as some classes span more than one key stage.
Starfish Class (Phase 1) supports our youngest learners in Nursery and Early Years. At certain points during the day, some of our Year 1 pupils work alongside the Starfish Class to enhance their learning experiences. This includes shared activities such as snack time, story time, and rhyme time.
Seal Class (Phase 2) supports the learning needs of pupils in Years 1, 2, and 3.
Shark Class (Phase 3) supports pupils in Years 4, 5, and 6.
Starfish Class Phase 1
Starfish Class (Phase 1) is led by Mrs Wells and supported by two experienced teaching assistants.
The class includes pupils from Nursery and Reception, with some Year 1 children joining for parts of the day. Our Foundation Stage curriculum focuses on building strong foundations in the prime areas of learning to support children’s ongoing development. Where barriers to learning are identified, targeted support and interventions are put in place to ensure every child can succeed.
Children in the Foundation Stage follow a predominantly child-initiated curriculum, where their interests and ideas are valued, nurtured, and extended. This is complemented by focused teaching through carefully planned, topic-based activities. Learning is hands-on and play-based, allowing children to progress at their own pace and develop confidence as learners.
Pupils in Nursery and Reception receive daily phonics teaching, beginning with Phase 1 activities and progressing into Read Write Inc. phonics, including Fred Talk and Set 1 sounds, as children are ready.
The learning environment provides rich opportunities for children to explore, investigate, and be curious, with a strong emphasis on developing the prime areas of learning. Mark-making is actively encouraged and supported throughout the environment through a wide range of engaging and purposeful activities.
All children benefit from open access to the garden and outdoor learning area, supporting free flow play throughout the day. Children learn and play alongside each other for most of the day, promoting social development, collaboration, and confidence.
Seal Class Phase 2
Seal Class (Phase 2) is led by Miss Howe and is made up of pupils from Years 1, 2, and 3.
The classroom has been carefully designed to support learning, independence, and wellbeing. It features purposeful working walls, including clearly accessible writing toolkits that help pupils develop confidence and independence in their writing. A fully resourced book area encourages a love of reading and provides opportunities for both guided and independent reading. The classroom also includes a quiet, calm space where pupils can regulate, reflect, or work in a more supported environment when needed.
Seal Class has access to an outdoor area which can provide pupils with opportunities to learn outside when appropriate.
In Phase 2, we support pupils to build on the strong foundations developed in the Phase 1. Children are encouraged to develop greater independence, resilience, and confidence in their learning, while continuing to receive the support they need to succeed. Learning is carefully structured to promote curiosity, engagement, and progress across the curriculum.
Shark Class Phase 3
Shark Class (Phase 3) is lead by Miss Bane and is home to the oldest pupils in our school, including children in Years 4, 5, and 6.
The classroom is a vibrant and inspiring learning environment, featuring engaging and creative displays that celebrate pupils’ achievements and support high-quality learning across the curriculum. A highlight of the classroom is the exceptionally well-resourced class book corner, which promotes a love of reading through a carefully curated selection of suggested reads, pupil book reviews, and opportunities for independent exploration of a wide range of texts.
Adjacent to Shark Class is The Nest, a warm and cosy learning space designed to provide a calm, supportive environment for pupils who may need time to regulate, reflect, or work in a quieter setting. Used flexibly throughout the day, The Nest supports wellbeing alongside learning.
The Shark Class environment builds on the strong foundations developed in Phase 2. The thoughtful set-up between Shark Class and The Nest encourages pupils to further develop independence, self-regulation, and responsibility for their learning, while knowing that support is always available when needed.
In Shark Class, we strive to prepare our pupils for the next important transition in their education. Through high expectations, supportive relationships, and opportunities to develop confidence, resilience, and independence, we equip our pupils with the skills they need to move successfully on to high school and beyond.
