Business Details
Your Trusted Primary School in Aberford
Established in 1716 as a tithe barn and operating as a national school since 1817, our institution has served the Aberford community for centuries. We provide a nurturing environment rooted in Christian values, offering primary education to children aged 4-11 across four mixed-year classes. Our curriculum follows a two-year rolling programme to ensure progressive knowledge development, with a strong emphasis on historical enquiry, British values, and interdisciplinary learning. The school occupies historic buildings with modernised facilities, including dedicated classrooms, a library, and outdoor learning spaces. Our team of experienced educators prioritises individualised support, with specialist leads for subjects including phonics, mathematics, and special educational needs.We maintain strong partnerships with parents, governors, and the local church, fostering a close-knit educational community. The school grounds feature characterful architecture, purpose-built learning areas, and landscaped gardens maintained through PTA collaboration. With a published admissions number of 14, we consistently operate at capacity, reflecting our reputation for academic excellence and pastoral care. Our curriculum extends beyond academics to include moral development, physical education, and creative arts, preparing students for future learning stages. Regular assessments and tailored interventions ensure each child progresses according to their potential while maintaining our founding principles of faith and community service.
Services
Primary Education
Nursery Provision
After-School Clubs
SEN Support
Community Programs
Highlights and features
- We offer small class sizes with individualised learning support
- Our curriculum integrates Christian values with national educational standards
- Experienced staff include specialist leads for key subjects
- Historic buildings combine character with modern educational facilities
- Strong community partnerships enhance learning opportunities
Services
Primary Education
We deliver comprehensive primary education for children aged 4-11 through mixed-year classroom instruction. Our curriculum follows a two-year rolling programme ensuring progressive knowledge development across all national curriculum subjects. Specialist teachers provide focused instruction in mathematics, phonics, and science while maintaining small class sizes for individualised attention.
Nursery Provision
Our Early Years Foundation Stage offers nursery places for children aged 3-4 with dedicated teaching staff and age-appropriate learning environments. The programme develops foundational skills through structured play and prepares children for transition to Reception class while maintaining strong pastoral care.
SEN Support
We provide tailored support for pupils with special educational needs through our designated SENCO and specialist teaching assistants. Individualised learning plans and targeted interventions ensure all children can access the curriculum while receiving appropriate pastoral and academic assistance.
After-School Clubs
Our after-school provision includes various clubs and activities covering arts, sports, and academic enrichment. These programmes extend learning beyond regular hours while providing supervised care in a safe environment with qualified staff supervision.
Community Programs
We maintain strong community connections through church partnerships, PTA collaboration, and local history projects. Our programmes include parent workshops, family learning events, and community service initiatives that reinforce educational values beyond the classroom.
People
Nicola Crossley
Headteacher
Nicola Crossley leads Aberford C of E Primary School with over 20 years of educational leadership experience. She oversees curriculum development, staff training, and strategic direction while maintaining child protection responsibilities.
Jo Warner
Assistant Headteacher
Jo Warner serves as Assistant Headteacher and Class 3 teacher, specialising in geography and British values education. She contributes to school leadership while delivering core curriculum instruction to Key Stage 2 pupils.
Sarah Goddard
School Business Manager
Sarah Goddard manages school operations as Business Manager, handling financial administration and organisational logistics. She also serves as a designated child protection officer ensuring pupil safety and welfare.
Jessica Jones
Phonics Lead
Jessica Jones specialises in early literacy development as Phonics and RE Lead. She teaches Year 1 and 2 pupils while developing phonics instruction strategies that support foundational reading skills across the school.
Laura Sanpher
SENCO
Laura Sanpher coordinates special educational needs provision as SENCO. She develops individualised learning plans, oversees teaching assistants, and implements computing curriculum initiatives while teaching Year 5 and 6 pupils.
Questions
What age groups do you teach?
We teach children aged 4-11 across four mixed-year classes, including a nursery provision for 3-4 year olds.
How do you support special educational needs?
Our SENCO coordinates tailored support plans with specialist teaching assistants to ensure all children access the curriculum.
What are your admission arrangements?
We have a published admissions number of 14 and follow local authority procedures for school place applications.
How can parents get involved?
Parents participate through our active PTA, school council, and regular community events at our Aberford campus.
What facilities do you offer?
Our historic buildings include dedicated classrooms, a library, and outdoor learning spaces with trim trails and sports facilities.
What is your curriculum focus?
We deliver a knowledge-rich curriculum with emphasis on historical enquiry, critical thinking, and Christian values.
