GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOOL

Bletchingdon or Bletchington lies roughly mid-way between Oxford and Bicester, and stands approximately 300 feet above sea level. It is mentioned in the Doomsday Book and has a very interesting history. This includes the association of the village of Bletchingdon with an unusual number of well-known people, including Roger Damory and his wife Elizabeth de Clare (founder of Clare College, Cambridge), John Nixon, Henry Airay, Christopher Potter, Dr. William Holder and Christopher Wren. The most notable building in the village is Bletchingdon Manor, which dates back to 1086.

Bletchingdon Parochial School was built in 1870 on land conveyed to the United Charities, and was partly supported by the charity funds. It is now a voluntary controlled Church of England mixed primary school for 4 - 11 year olds with 64 on roll at the present time. It is a splendid looking building, constructed of local stone and fitting in well with the old houses nestling around it. The numbers for the school are expected to remain in the 55-65 band for the next five years.

There is a hard playing surface at the front of the school for wet weather playtime and an orchard to the rear of the school for fine weather play and outdoor sports and games activities.

In October 1993 we had a classroom lifted over the main school building roof and lowered into position on the back lawn. The room offers the Infants a bright and airy classroom, cloakroom and toilet facilities. The whole building was given a slate covered pitched roof and cedar clad walls to give it an appearance in-keeping with the rural surroundings. Beyond the Infant classroom is a safe, purpose designed outdoor learning area and heated Foundation Stage classroom for groups of children to work in all through the year.

Children are admitted in the Autumn term of the school year in which they reach their 5th birthday. Pre school visits are arranged for the children to meet adults and children in their class in the summer term before the start of the new school year.

The children work in a variety of ways - class, group or individually, according to their needs and the needs of the curriculum areas. We aim to encourage confidence in our children by a positive approach. Every child is considered as an individual and is given the opportunities to develop his/her capabilities and interests to the full.