An Inspiration Trust Academy We care, we share, we dare to do more
Welcome Our Core Values Look Up
We strive for excellence. We have created a culture where our pupils are resilient, passionate, committed and enthusiastic learners; they work hard to achieve success and our staff work hard to ensure we provide an excellent, exciting education for all. We keep looking up.
Look Around
Our curriculum provides rich knowledge through the teaching of individual subjects and our wider curriculum. We will provide a fully rounded education that supports every pupil to grow personally and socially as well as academically. Our curriculum is enriching. Our pupils will be able to be part of the conversation of society by being curious, honest, loyal and fair. We pay attention to the world around us.
Look Out For Each Other
Our pupils will be kind, supportive, caring and compassionate. Our parental community is committed and supports our high standards and expectations. In our school where expectations are high, our pupils can and will exceed social expectations. We will look out for every pupil and ensure they look out for each other too. 2
Contents Supporting Pupils at Every Stage
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SEND Provision 6 Pastoral Care and Safeguarding 7 Our Curriculum 8 Music Matters 10 11 Before 11 12 Extra-curricular Activities
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Our House System
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Trust-wide Sports and Primary Olympiads 15 School Meals 16 Our Uniform 17 Inspiration Pathway 18 Admissions Process 19
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Supporting Pupils at Every Stage Here at Great Yarmouth Primary Academy we recognise that early years education is vital for the future success of our children. We give our pupils the best start in their education journey.
Our Early Years Teaching Approach Reading is at the heart of our early years curriculum and we use the Read Write Inc programme to teach our children how to read accurately and fluently through the use of phonics. This also supports early spelling and writing and gives all of our pupils a brilliant foundation to develop as readers and writers. Stories and poems feed our pupil’s imaginations and allow them to experience high-quality literature. Vocabulary is developed through teaching of core words and knowledge, allowing our pupils to read and understand as many words as possible. Early teaching of mathematics is also part of our approach to early years learning. We focus on securing mathematical understanding and fluency. We use pictures and physical aids, such as counters and coins to introduce concepts before children are introduced to abstract ideas. We combine teaching and modelling with structured play to develop children’s personal, social and emotional skills. Through our approach, we believe that children gain all the knowledge they need to investigate the world around them, both physically and imaginatively. 4
Transition to School At Great Yarmouth Primary Academy, we recognise that starting school in Reception is an important milestone for every child. It is important to us that we gain an understanding of our children and their needs before they begin school. In order to support with this, we arrange for children’s class teachers to visit children in their homes and where possible, in their current nursery. This enables staff to learn about your child’s likes and interests, social skills and begin to build important relationships with their class teacher. We also offer stay and play sessions where children can visit the school and meet their teachers and classmates before starting school. These transition sessions allow the children to become familiar with the school environment and experience some of the activities before starting school in September. This is also an opportunity for parents/carers to discuss any concerns or queries. At these sessions, children will be able to take away a transition booklet with photographs of staff and the classroom to revisit over the summer. For our children with special educational needs, we will offer a transition which is appropriate for them and their individual needs. This will be done through conversation with parents and their nursery setting if appropriate. Once your child’s place at Great Yarmouth Primary Academy is confirmed, you will receive a welcome pack which includes all necessary information about your child starting school.
SEND Support At Great Yarmouth Primary, we are committed to ensuring that learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are fully included in the life of the school and are able to thrive academically and socially. If your child has an identified special educational need or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), the first step is to talk to our SENCo. Our SENCo can give you an overview of the kinds of reasonable adjustments and provisions which are typically made for learners with SEND at Great Yarmouth Primary Academy to ensure that they can access the curriculum and enrichment opportunities. Once your child’s place at Great Yarmouth Primary Academy is confirmed, we will discuss your child’s barriers to learning with you and your child in detail. We will also talk to your child’s current setting (if applicable) and any other professionals working with your child. Together we will draw up a plan with shortterm targets focussed on your child’s special
educational needs. The plan will include provisions that reduce your child’s barriers to learning as well as strategies that your child’s teacher(s) can use in lessons. Learning Plans, provisions and targets are reviewed on a termly basis with both you and your child and adjusted as needed to reflect their changing needs. If your child has an EHCP, the short-term targets will be linked to the EHCP outcomes. We also offer coffee mornings where our SEN team are available to answer questions and support our parent community. For more detailed information about what our academy does to support learners with SEND, please read our SEND Information Report on our website.
Communicating with Parents The school parent partnership is a vital element in a pupil being successful in their education journey. There will be a number of different ways in which the school will communicate with parents in relation to learning, personal development, attendance and practical information. In addition, we will host a number of events throughout the year where you will be invited to watch your children perform, work together with them 6
on activities, view their work and meet their teachers. This consists of: 2 x parents’ evenings 1 x full report Termly Parent Cafés PTA Events (e.g. Summer and Christmas fayre) Weekly newsletters
Pastoral Care and Safeguarding We have a dedicated Inclusion Team, Family Support Advisor, Education Welfare Officer and Safeguarding Leads who work collaboratively to provide the best possible support for children and families.
Our Safeguarding Team supports pupils and families with any worries or concerns that may arise. Members of the pastoral and safeguarding team are available daily on the school gates and meetings can also be arranged whenever additional support is needed.
Our Family Support Advisor works closely with families, offering support in a variety of ways. This may include assistance with food bank referrals, uniform support, family wellbeing and signposting to external services.
The Primary Safeguarding Lead for Inspiration Trust manages and supports our safeguarding and attendance teams. They visit the school regularly and work closely with staff to support pupils and families.
Our Education Welfare Officer works alongside families and school staff to promote excellent attendance, helping to identify and overcome any barriers that may prevent children from attending school regularly.
We recognise that some children may need additional social, emotional or mental health support at different times in their lives. At GYPA, this may include individual therapeutic support, emotional literacy interventions, Inclusion Team activities and supported breaktimes or lunchtimes to help pupils feel safe, happy and successful at school. 7
Our Curriculum From the very start of their educational journey in Reception right up to the end of Key Stage 2, we provide a nationally-recognised curriculum that is both inclusive and ambitious. At Great Yarmouth Primary Academy, we are committed to ensuring that every child achieves their full potential. From the moment children join us in Reception, we place a strong focus on building firm foundations for learning, setting high expectations that continue right through to Year 6.
Our teachers work closely with senior leaders, meeting on a regular basis to review pupil progress. These discussions help to identify any gaps in knowledge early and ensure that effective strategies are put in place to address them quickly and confidently.
We strive for the very best academic progress and attainment for all pupils. Our curriculum is carefully designed to support pupils in developing the knowledge and skills they need to succeed, while also fostering a love of learning.
In addition, we offer after-school booster sessions and interventions, giving pupils further opportunities to consolidate their learning and build confidence. This ensures that every child has the support they need to achieve the very best outcomes.
To ensure that every child can meet – and exceed – age-related expectations, we provide a range of targeted interventions. These are carefully planned and delivered throughout the school to support pupils who may need additional help, as well as to challenge those who are ready to go further.
At Great Yarmouth Primary Academy, we believe that with the right support, encouragement, and high expectations, every child can succeed—and we are proud to help our pupils grow into confident, capable learners ready for the next stage of their education.
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The curriculum is sequenced well, ambitious and continually refined to meet pupils’ needs. Teachers adapt their lessons well. These strategies help pupils overcome barriers, retain key information and make progress. OFSTED 2026
Attendance Matters Regular attendance is vital to a child’s success. Children who attend school consistently are more likely to make strong academic progress, build positive friendships, develop confidence and fully enjoy school life. Every lesson matters, and even small amounts of absence can impact learning. Attendance is a key priority across our school. We work closely with families to support good attendance, and our dedicated Attendance Officer is available to offer guidance and practical help whenever needed. We are passionate about celebrating attendance and recognise both good and improved attendance throughout the year. Pupils can take part in exciting competitions, challenges and rewards. By working together, we can ensure every child benefits from the opportunities, experiences and learning. 9
Music Matters at Great Yarmouth Primary The Inspiration Trust strongly believes in the power of music to enhance lives, both through the sheer pleasure of listening to and enjoying music, and through the discipline of individual and group playing and singing. As part of our extended Arts and Culture Programme, pupils have the opportunity to take part in a variety of plays, concerts and music competitions. We also offer our students a range of lessons with our highlyskilled and experienced team of Visiting 10
Music Teachers - these include piano, singing and recorder lessons. Learning to play an instrument helps students to develop cognitive and social skills, expand language and motor skills, as well help build determination and patience. Plus, it is fun! Our pupils are encouraged to participate in numerous trust-wide music competitions, including Battle of the Bands, Piano Competition, and the Annual Music Competition.
Every year our students get to take part in our trust-wide Carol Service. An annual tradition, the Carol Service sees pupils from all across our sister schools - primaries, secondaries and sixth forms - join forces to perform a series of traditional carols and hymns in the winter term. Always a big calendar event, the Carol Service is a fantastic opportunity for our students and staff to showcase their brilliant musical capabilities, whether through playing instruments or singing, while getting to perform in an iconic location. The Carol Service is a fun Christmas event that always makes for a lovely family evening.
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11 Before 11 To ensure pupils have the best possible experience at primary school, we place a strong focus on personal development. During their time at school, pupils will take part in experiences across 11 key areas that support them in becoming the best possible version of themselves while developing a deeper understanding of the world around them. Through these opportunities, our pupils develop lifelong skills, hobbies and passions that help them build resilience, look after their wellbeing, form positive relationships and contribute positively to society. To help capture these special experiences, every child is given a GYPA Passport when they join our school. Throughout their time at GYPA, pupils can record memories, achievements and personal development experiences in their passport, creating a unique record of their primary school journey. When they leave us, the passport goes with them as a lasting keepsake of their time at Great Yarmouth Primary Academy and Nursery.
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Extra-Curricular Activities At Great Yarmouth Primary Academy and Nursery, we believe that learning extends far beyond the classroom. We are committed to providing a wide range of extra curricular opportunities that help our pupils discover new interests, develop talents and build confidence. Throughout the year, pupils have access to a variety of exciting experiences, events, educational visits and personal development opportunities designed to broaden their horizons and create lasting memories. Our enrichment programme encourages pupils to explore new hobbies, develop important life skills, work collaboratively with others and, most importantly, have fun while learning.
We also offer a range of free after-school clubs, which vary throughout the year and may include: Multi-Sports Dodgeball Football Basketball Hockey Netball Athletics Arts and Crafts Book Club Games Club Film Club Cooking Club Gardening Club Science, Mathematics and Engineering Club
Our House System When pupils start at Great Yarmouth Primary Academy they are placed into one of our four houses. ouses are: Britannia Wellington Breydon Haven.
The house system offers our pupils: A strong sense of community and belonging Opportunities for healthy competition Leadership opportunities Opportunities for recognition and rewards Opportunities to learn and demonstrate our school values.
Pupils can earn house points throughout the year for demonstrating positive behaviour, effort, achievement and our school values. Every house point contributes to both their house’s overall total and their own individual total. House points help houses compete for house awards and celebrations, while individual points can be saved and redeemed in our House Point Shop, where pupils can choose from a range of rewards. This system encourages teamwork, personal achievement and pride in contributing to the wider school community.
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Sports Competitions and Primary Olympiads At Great Yarmouth Primary Academy, we believe that sport and enrichment play a vital role in developing confident children. We provide a wide range of opportunities for pupils to take part in competitive and inclusive sporting experiences, helping them to stay active while building teamwork, determination and a sense of achievement. Through our trust, pupils have the opportunity to participate in a variety of trust-wide sporting competitions, including football, athletics, dodgeball and basketball. These events allow children to represent the school, develop their skills and enjoy healthy competition in a supportive environment. We take our pupils to venues such as the UEA SportsPark and The Nest, ensuring they experience the very best facilities when competing. These high-quality environments help to inspire pupils and give them a real sense of occasion, encouraging them to perform at their best.
In addition to physical sport, we also take part in Primary Olympiads across our trust. These include a range of subjects such as maths, computing and poetry, providing opportunities for all children to shine, regardless of their strengths. These events promote teamwork, problem-solving and collaboration, while also reinforcing key values such as respect, perseverance and good sportsmanship. Through both sporting competitions and academic challenges, we aim to provide pupils with enriching experiences that broaden their horizons, build confidence and foster a lifelong love of learning and participation.
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School Meals At Great Yarmouth Primary Academy, all pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school lunch. Our school canteen provides a healthy, balanced menu. Alternatively parents can send their child with a balanced, healthy packed lunch. Children may also bring in fruit or vegetables to school for a breaktime snack. Even though pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school lunch. We still ask that parents complete the free school meals application form if in receipt of benefits as this adds several thousand pounds funding per child to the money we have to spend on your child’s education.
School Day We offer a breakfast club from 08.00-08.30 for all children. This offers pupils a range of breakfast options as well as time to prepare for the school day.
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Reading is at the centre of everything pupils do... staff teach the phonics programme consistently well. Pupils are eager to show their learning. OFSTED 2021
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Our Uniform At Great Yarmouth Primary Academy and Nursery, we believe that all children should wear clothing that reflects a purposeful and aspirational learning environment. We want our pupils to take immense pride in their appearance, behaviour and learning. Our school uniform helps to promote a sense of belonging, equality and high expectations for all. You can order your uniform from our supplier, Harrisons Schoolwear. Our uniform includes: Dark-blue v-necked jumper with logo (required) A white collared buttoned shirt (long or short-sleeved) (required) Great Yarmouth Primary Academy tie (clip-on ties rather than normal ties can be worn for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils) (required) Grey trousers or grey skirt (below the knee) - only grey tights (no leggings) are permitted (required) Black shoes/black boots (below the shin) and no trainers (required) The only jewellery permitted is small ear studs. Our mandatory PE kit includes: Navy crew neck t-shirt (with a small or no logo) Navy shorts (with a small or no logo) Trainers or plimsolls Plain navy, black or white socks (not football).
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Rights Respecting School At Great Yarmouth Primary Academy and Nursery, we are proud to be a Rights Respecting School, placing children’s rights at the heart of everything we do. Being a Rights Respecting School means that pupils learn about their rights through the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Children are taught that every child has rights, regardless of their background, beliefs or circumstances, and that these rights help them to stay safe, healthy, happy and able to learn. Our Rights Respecting approach encourages pupils to understand not only their own rights but also the rights of others. This helps to create a culture of respect, kindness, fairness and responsibility throughout our school community. By embedding children’s rights into everyday school life, we empower our pupils to become confident, respectful and active citizens who understand the importance of making a positive difference in the world around them. Through assemblies, lessons and daily interactions, children’s rights help shape our values, our relationships and the way we learn together.
Inspiration Pathway As a named feeder school for Great Yarmouth Charter Academy, our pupils have priority for admission when compared to non-feeder schools. Great Yarmouth Charter Academy is a school built on respect, hard work and dedication. The team are committed to giving its students the best education in a calm and focused environment.
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As part of Inspiration Trust, both Great Yarmouth Primary and Great Yarmouth Charter Academy share a common trust curriculum, which includes space for flexibility to further meet the needs of our community of pupils.
The Admissions Process By law children must start statutory education full-time at the beginning of the term following their fifth birthday. For first admission to school, the common application form will be sent to parents. The closing date for applications will be as per the published timetable. Children may start school full-time at the beginning of the autumn term before their fifth birthday. (Part-time admission will be considered on an individual basis.) Our admission policy allows children to start school earlier than the law requires. However, the law also allows parents to ask for their child to be admitted but also delay the start date until later in the school year.
If you have any queries about an application for a place at Great Yarmouth Primary Academy or about the admissions process please contact the school office. A full overview of our admissions arrangements is available in our Admissions Policy and on our school webpage. Admissions Team, County Hall Martineau Lane Norwich NR1 2DL Telephone: 0344 800 8020 Email: admissions@norfolk.gov.uk
Your child must start school by the beginning of the term following their fifth birthday and the place must be taken up by the start of the summer term.
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YPA
Great Yarmouth Primary Academy and Nursery Dickens Avenue Great Yarmouth NR30 3DT
To Norwich
S Quay Pasteur Road
South Beach Parade
A47
Great Yarmouth Primary Academy
To Gorleston
Pleasure Beach
Stay Connected
Follow Great Yarmouth Primary Academy to keep up to date with our latest news and events. @GreatYarmouthPrimaryAcademy
Tel: 01493 855304 Email: office@gypa.org.uk
www.greatyarmouthprimaryacademy.org