Ensuring that your child attends a school that puts their educational needs first is important for enabling them to grow and develop into wonderful young people with a passion for learning.
Having your child attend a school that not only strives for academic excellence, but is an essential part of the local community, is just as important too.
With a mission of ‘learning together to become the best we can be, in an inspiring and happy community’, E-ACT St Ursula’s Academy offers wraparound care for all of its pupils.
The primary school is one of 28 academies which form the prestigious E-ACT National Multi-Academy Trust, sharing knowledge and practices with other local E-ACT academies to help each other thrive and make things better for all their children.
The academy is rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted with ‘Outstanding’ for personal development, thanks to its fantastic Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and pastoral provision, and a strong belief that children must first have a safe and happy environment in order for them to thrive and be ready to learn.
Constantly looking at ways it can improve and develop practices and procedures, E-ACT St Ursula’s Academy is centred around its pupils and the three core values of achieve, believe, and create – something that the latest Ofsted report picked up on, stating that “Pupils love coming to school. Their high attendance reflects this. Leaders have created a calm and caring environment. Staff go the extra mile to make sure pupils feel safe in school and are in the right frame of mind to learn.
“Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. They are keen to meet the school’s high expectations of their behaviour. Pupils present themselves and their work with pride.”
The relationships between the teaching staff, children, and families is something that the academy is proud of and works hard to maintain through its Parent, Teacher and Friend Association (PTFA).
Thanks to the special care and attention to pupil’s welfare, as well as education, it is no surprise to learn that E-ACT St Ursula’s Academy has won several awards, including the Anti-Bullying Alliance Silver Award in 2021.
One substantial way in which the school works collaboratively to enable pupils to get the best personal and academic outcome, is through its Personal Development Passport – a special program that helps track and celebrate pupil’s activities and achievements in three important areas: citizenship, community and careers.
The implementation of this, alongside a broad and balanced curriculum, allows the children to have a deeper understanding of subjects and feeds their passion for learning.
Speaking about the relationships between pupils, staff and families, and the importance of offering a varied learning pathway, Sarah Rushton, early years lead said: “Our Early Years department is staffed by a highly experienced and passionate team, who have an in-depth understanding of child development. They work together to plan an exciting curriculum that ensures it meets the needs of every learner and allows them to reach their full potential.
“At E-ACT St Ursula’s Academy we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework, which covers expectations for children, from birth to five. Alongside this, we also carefully consider the different learning styles of individuals and tailor our curriculum to match these.
“We follow children’s interests and develop lines of enquiry which will enthuse our learners and provide contextual, purposeful experiences for them to develop their problem-solving skills and equip them to become independent learners. By offering rich learning experiences, learning becomes memorable and children are able to make connections and deepen their understanding.
“When children have ownership of their learning, they will be motivated to use their independent learning skills and their creative, imaginative and investigative thinking.”
Community spirit
E-ACT St Ursula’s Academy is proud to be an important part of the local community, hosting many events throughout the year, including fireworks displays, Christmas fayres, summer fairs, wreath making workshops and even ‘pub’ quizzes. All events are open to the local community, with the next summer fair taking place on Saturday, June 22 from 12.30pm to 4pm.
Showcasing the school and welcoming new pupils and parents, a move up morning and picnic for new reception parents and families joining the school this September, is being held on Wednesday, July 10.
In term one of the new academic year (Sept/Oct 2024), open event dates (both night time and day time options will be given) will be released for prospective parents of children entering reception in September 2025. Open events include a tour of the school.
These dates will be made available on the school website, and if any of the dates prove unsuitable, simply call the school on 0117 962 2616 or email ReceptionURS@E-ACT.org.uk to book a tour on a day that works better for you.
Attending these events or booking onto a tour of the school is the best way to see how E-ACT St Ursula’s Academy is committed to helping your child grow and develop, as well as being an excellent chance to see the lovely school building and grounds. A sensory garden, open fields and library are just some of the attractive parts of the school.
It is these fantastic parts of the school that enable pupils to achieve outside the classroom, as well as inside. On Monday, May 20, the school football team celebrated their win of the Coronation Cup at Ashton Gate Stadium.
Touching on the community spirit the encapsulates the school, headteacher Ms Nicky Hamilton said: “It is an honour to be the Headteacher of this fabulous school, working alongside a committed and supportive staff team. St Ursula’s is situated in Westbury-on-Trym, in a modern purpose-built facility that boasts a large playing field, sensory garden and wooded area.
“The parents and local community are hugely supportive of the school. There is a real community feeling with staff, children and parents all working closely together. St Ursula’s is a safe and nurturing academy where safeguarding and the well-being of our children is our utmost priority.
“The academy not only wants children to achieve academically, it values their personal, social, moral and emotional development. We want our children to leave St Ursula’s well-rounded, knowledgeable, resilient and ready for the next part of their academic journey.”
