St Mary the Virgin CofE VA Primary School

St Mary the Virgin CofE VA Primary School, located in Gillingham, Dorset, is a mixed voluntary aided primary school with an enrolment of 236 pupils, slightly below its capacity of 244. The school is committed to creating a supportive and stimulating learning environment where children feel happy and secure, which is essential for effective learning. The leadership team, including Head of School Jenny Williamson and Executive Head Matt Barge, emphasises the importance of collaboration with parents as primary educators to achieve the best outcomes for students.

The curriculum at St Mary’s is designed to be broad and engaging, encouraging children to explore their strengths through meaningful experiences, including the use of outdoor classrooms. The school aims to inspire a love of learning while maintaining high academic standards.

Governance at St Mary’s is managed by Academy Committees that provide oversight and support to the school’s leadership, ensuring a focus on teaching, learning, and safeguarding. Parents are actively involved in governance, with representatives elected to ensure community voices are heard.