Malmesbury Park is a large, popular and inclusive school in central Bournemouth. We are a three-form entry school with 697 children on roll with large waiting lists in each year group. There is a thriving Nursery which accommodates 62 children on a fully flexible basis. The percentage of pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM) is 18% and the percentage eligible for Pupil Premium funding is 18.2%. The percentage of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is 19%  (14% SEN Support and 4.3% EHCP) and the percentage of children with English as an Additional Language is 53%. The school has 72% stability due to the locality of the school between Bournemouth University, the Arts University and the hospital. Academic outcomes are not significantly different to national in all aspects. Malmesbury Park Primary School’s last OFSTED inspection was in March 2022 and the school was graded as Good. The school has an excellent local reputation, is popular and over-subscribed.

The school has a resource provision ‘Riggs’ for 12 primary aged pupils with social communication difficulties. The provision has a dedicated classroom, along with access to a smaller classroom within the main building. It offers a calm and less distracting environment with opportunities for individual or small group work. The provision provides learning opportunities within a dedicated environment which promotes increasing access to inclusion experiences in the mainstream school. Children within Riggs are included in all aspects of the mainstream school curriculum where appropriate. The work is differentiated, modified and adapted to meet individual needs. Children are supported by the Riggs centre staff through strategies such as the use of visual support, sensory aids and modification of language.  Ofsted (March 2022) noted: “Provision for pupils in the specially resourced provision for pupils with SEND is tailored skilfully to meet the needs of these pupils. As a result, these pupils achieve well”. We have a close working relationship with the Local Authority to ensure that children are appropriately placed both on entry to Riggs and when they exit at transition points. The provision has an excellent reputation consequently it is heavily oversubscribed.

Malmesbury Park has a core set of ethos values which underpin all relationships within the school. The children and families know these well consequently the school is harmonious, orderly and calm. Ofsted (March 2022) commented: “Pupils are at the heart of this diverse school. They are proud of their school and say that everyone is accepted and that it is one big family. Leaders know the community they serve. They have considered carefully the many cultural backgrounds of pupils in the curriculum design and school values.” Pupils tell us they feel safe, listened to and are respected. They state that bullying is rare.

We are a very diverse community, with over forty-eight languages being spoken within the school. This is something we celebrate and welcome as it brings with it a rich and varied culture. The children at Malmesbury Park Primary School enjoy learning about different countries and cultures, and are supportive and respectful of one another. We place learning at the heart of all we do and as a result, our curriculum is designed to meet the needs of our learners, providing them with rich, memorable and meaningful experiences.

We believe every child deserves the very best education, opportunities to shine and the chance to achieve their hopes and dreams. They are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities and extra-curricular clubs. Children take part in competitive sporting events, perform exceptional theatrical productions and take part in many local events. We are proud to have achieved our Platinum Artsmark which sees children taking a lead in the development of the creative arts through working with the Arts University and providing support to other schools locally and within the Trust. In order to support the ‘whole’ child we have a skilled team of support staff who lead the ‘ELF’ room (emotional, literacy and feelings). The ELF room provides the children with a welcoming and safe environment where children are encouraged to develop their understanding, recognition and management of their own emotions as well as learning how to empathise with others. Children and families talk extremely positively about how the ELF team support and assist them so that they have positive relationships.

The team at Malmesbury Park Primary School is large but like-minded. We are a team of confident, outgoing and skilled teachers, teaching assistants, support staff and SLT who work closely together with one common ambition – providing an excellent education to the bright young minds of tomorrow.