Business Details
48 Years
experience
Outstanding Primary Education in Runcorn
Windmill Hill C P School has been dedicated to nurturing young minds since 1978, serving the Runcorn community with unwavering commitment. Our consecutive 'Outstanding' Ofsted reports in 2006 and 2013 reflect our dedication to excellence in education, underpinned by a caring environment where learning is both engaging and enjoyable. We prioritise each child's happiness and development, utilising innovative initiatives like our acclaimed Forest School programme to cultivate essential life skills.Our team of highly qualified educators and support staff work collaboratively with parents to create a holistic learning experience, ensuring every pupil thrives academically, socially, and emotionally. With a diverse curriculum and extensive extracurricular offerings, we prepare children aged 4-11 for future success while maintaining a strong focus on safety, inclusivity, and community values.
Services
Primary Education
Forest School Programme
Special Educational Needs Support
After-School Clubs
Swimming Lessons
Details
- Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
- Holds consecutive 'Outstanding' Ofsted reports since 2006
- Implements innovative Forest School learning initiatives
- Maintains 100% qualified teaching staff with specialist expertise
- Offers seamless transition support for new families
- Provides diverse curriculum with weekly swimming and residential trips
What people say
Outstanding teachers
Welcoming atmosphere
Varied curriculum
Excellent communication
Smooth transitions
Services
Primary Education
Our comprehensive primary education programme delivers the National Curriculum through engaging, child-centred learning experiences. Qualified teachers create individualised development plans while maintaining small class sizes to ensure personalised attention. The curriculum integrates core academic subjects with creative arts, physical education, and character-building activities.
Forest School Programme
This innovative outdoor education initiative develops resilience, teamwork, and environmental awareness through hands-on woodland activities. Qualified instructors guide pupils in practical problem-solving while connecting classroom learning to real-world experiences in our purpose-built forest school environment.
Special Educational Needs Support
Our dedicated SENCO and support staff provide tailored learning strategies for children with diverse educational needs. We maintain close partnerships with specialist agencies to create individualised support plans while ensuring full integration into mainstream classroom activities with appropriate accommodations.
After-School Clubs
We offer a variety of free after-school clubs including sports, music, and creative arts for Key Stage 2 pupils. These activities run daily from 3-4pm, featuring specialist coaching in football, athletics, and performing arts to develop physical skills and creative expression.
Swimming Lessons
Weekly swimming instruction forms part of our physical education curriculum, with pupils receiving professional coaching to achieve water safety certification. Our programme ensures all children develop confidence and competence in aquatic environments through progressive skill development.
People
Miss Paula Newman
Headteacher
With over 20 years' experience in primary education leadership, Miss Newman champions child-centred learning while maintaining rigorous academic standards. She oversees staff development and strategic planning, ensuring every decision prioritises pupil wellbeing and educational excellence.
Mr Darren Stoddart
Assistant Headteacher KS2
Mr Stoddart brings 15 years of classroom teaching expertise to his leadership role, specialising in curriculum development and staff mentoring. He coordinates Key Stage 2 operations while maintaining active involvement in teacher training initiatives.
Mrs Andrea McCoy
Assistant Headteacher KS1/EYFS
As Early Years Foundation Stage lead, Mrs McCoy applies her 18-year expertise in child development to create nurturing learning environments. She specialises in early literacy interventions and transition programmes for new Reception pupils.
Mrs Gill Gleave
School Business Manager
Mrs Gleave oversees financial operations and facility management with 12 years' experience in school administration. She ensures efficient resource allocation while maintaining compliance with statutory requirements and health & safety standards.
Miss Amy Potter
SENCO
Miss Potter coordinates special educational needs provision with 10 years' specialist experience. She develops individualised learning plans and liaises with external agencies to support pupils with diverse educational requirements across all key stages.
Questions
What age groups does Windmill Hill Primary School cater for?
We provide education for children aged 4-11 years, covering Early Years Foundation Stage through Key Stage 2.
How does the school support children with special educational needs?
Our dedicated SENCO and support staff create individualised learning plans, working closely with external specialists to ensure appropriate accommodations and progress monitoring.
What extracurricular activities are available?
We offer free after-school clubs including football, athletics, choir, and creative arts, plus specialist programmes like Forest School and swimming lessons.
How does the school communicate with parents?
We maintain regular communication through our School Business Manager, parent-teacher meetings, and digital platforms, ensuring timely updates about pupil progress and school events.
What are the school's safeguarding procedures?
All visitors must sign in at reception and wear identification badges. Our designated safeguarding team follows strict protocols to ensure child protection and welfare.
