Business Details
Nurturing Primary Education in West Sussex
Chidham Parochial Primary School has been dedicated to nurturing children through a joyful, enriching educational experience since its establishment. Our vision, rooted in the biblical principle 'Love each other as I have loved you' (John 15v12), creates a supportive environment where every learner receives tailored encouragement to achieve their full potential. As a Church of England school with inclusive values, we welcome families from all faith backgrounds and none, fostering individual confidence and respect for diversity. Our 2024 Ofsted-rated provision combines academic excellence with holistic development, reflected in our SIAMS-accredited Christian ethos. The leadership team, led by Headteacher Mr. Olway, brings decades of educational expertise to our West Sussex community, ensuring compliance with national standards while maintaining our unique rights-respecting approach.Our curriculum integrates outdoor learning, creative arts, and digital literacy, supported by specialist teachers in music, modern languages, and physical education. We maintain rigorous safeguarding protocols and SEND support structures, evidenced by our transparent reporting and partnerships with local authorities. The school's commitment to British values is embedded through democratic pupil voice initiatives, rule-of-law reinforcement via community partnerships, and individual liberty promotion within safe boundaries. Our facilities include a hireable sports hall and extensive grounds named after native trees, enhancing experiential learning opportunities.
Services
Early Years Foundation Stage
SEND Support
After-School Care
Curriculum Enrichment
Sports Hall Hire
Parent Workshops
Community Partnerships
Safeguarding Training
Transition Programmes
Specialist Teaching
Highlights and features
- We maintain a 30-pupil annual intake ensuring personalised attention
- Our SIAMS-accredited Christian ethos supports character development alongside academics
- Specialist teachers deliver music, MFL and PE programmes
- Outdoor learning integrated across all curriculum areas
- 2024 Ofsted report confirms 'Good' overall effectiveness with strong safeguarding
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
- SIAMS
What people say
Nurturing environment
Dedicated staff
Strong safeguarding
Inclusive ethos
Good progress
Services
Early Years Foundation Stage
Our Early Years Foundation Stage programme provides flexible full or part-time learning for children aged 3-5. The curriculum focuses on personal, social and emotional development through play-based learning, with specialist input in phonics and early mathematics. Staff qualified in early childhood education create individualised learning journeys monitored through regular parent consultations.
SEND Support
Special Educational Needs provision includes an EHCP-coordinated support system with dedicated SENDCO Mrs Mhairi Sear. We provide tailored learning plans, specialist teaching assistants, and access to external therapists. The school maintains enhanced accessibility features and individualised behaviour support strategies to ensure all children achieve their potential.
Curriculum Enrichment
Curriculum enrichment extends learning beyond classrooms through forest school sessions, creative arts projects, and digital literacy programmes. Specialist teachers deliver music, modern foreign languages and physical education. Each term's thematic curriculum incorporates outdoor learning opportunities linked to our tree-named classes and extensive school grounds.
After-School Care
Wraparound care includes breakfast club from 7:45am and after-school provision until 5:30pm. The programme offers structured activities, homework support and outdoor play. Qualified staff ensure continuity of care while accommodating working parents' schedules. Additional holiday clubs provide themed learning activities during school breaks.
Community Partnerships
Community engagement initiatives include NSPCC and fire service collaborations for safety education, parent workshops on curriculum areas, and interfaith learning opportunities. The school partners with local organisations for sports competitions and cultural events, while our sports hall hire programme supports community wellbeing activities.
People
Mr Sebastian Olway
Headteacher
Mr Olway leads our school with over 15 years' experience in primary education. He holds senior leadership qualifications and has implemented our successful rights-respecting ethos since 2018. His focus on inclusive education drives our SEND provision development.
Mrs Mhairi Sear
SEND Coordinator
Mrs Sear coordinates our Special Educational Needs provision with 12 years' specialist experience. She manages EHCP implementations and liaises with external agencies. Her team ensures accessibility compliance and individualised learning support across all year groups.
Mr Brendan Cook
Chair of Governors
Mr Cook chairs our governing body with extensive local authority education experience. He oversees strategic planning and standards monitoring, ensuring financial accountability and policy compliance. His leadership guides our school improvement initiatives.
Mrs Claire Inskip
Senior Mental Health Lead
Mrs Inskip serves as Senior Mental Health Lead and Year 3 teacher. She coordinates emotional literacy support and staff mental health training. Her dual role ensures practical implementation of wellbeing strategies across the curriculum.
Mrs Nikki Brown
School Business Manager
Mrs Brown manages school operations with 10 years' educational administration experience. She oversees admissions processes, facility management, and financial systems. Her team ensures smooth daily operations and parental communication.
Questions
What are your school's admission criteria?
As a voluntary controlled school, we follow West Sussex County Council's admissions criteria prioritising children with EHCPs, looked-after children, and siblings within our catchment area.
Do you offer before and after school care?
Yes, we provide breakfast club from 7:45am and after-school wraparound care until 5:30pm, including holiday clubs with themed activities.
How do you support children with special educational needs?
Our SENDCO coordinates individualised education plans, with specialist teaching assistants, sensory resources, and external therapist partnerships to support EHCP implementation.
What curriculum do you follow?
We deliver the national curriculum through thematic learning, enhanced by specialist teaching in music, MFL, and PE, with extensive outdoor learning opportunities.
Can the community use your facilities?
Our sports hall is available for community hire - contact the school office for availability and booking arrangements.
How do you promote British values?
British values are embedded through democratic pupil voice initiatives, rule-of-law reinforcement via community partnerships, and individual liberty promotion within safe boundaries.
