At our school, respect is at the heart of everything we do. We teach our children to show respect by being kind, using good manners, and treating everyone with dignity, regardless of their religion, race, or disability. We expect our pupils to respect our school rules, their teachers, their peers, and themselves. By learning to communicate respectfully with others and value differences, our children grow into thoughtful, compassionate individuals who contribute positively to their community.
We believe that resilience is essential for lifelong success. We teach our children to bounce back after difficulties and challenges, and to understand how to manage their emotions during tough times. Through developing resilience, our pupils learn that it is acceptable to make mistakes, as mistakes help them to grow. We encourage a growth mindset in all children, reminding them that they can “try and try again” and that perseverance will help them achieve their goals.
Finally, we value working hard in all areas of life. We want our children to understand that working hard will support them to be lifelong learners, helping them to dream big and achieve their aspirations. We want them to work hard not only in their academic achievements but also in their friendships, social skills, and how they treat others. By working hard in all aspects of life, our pupils build confidence in their abilities and develop a strong sense of belief in themselves. We want every child to leave our school knowing that with effort, determination, and commitment, they can achieve anything they set their minds to.
Supporting Pupils at Every Stage
At Queensway Academy, we believe that every child deserves a positive start and ongoing support throughout their educational journey. Our transitions in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are carefully planned to help pupils and families feel a strong sense of belonging when starting school. As part of our vision, we are committed to ensuring that all pupils are well prepared for their next stage of education with confidence and enthusiasm.
Parent Information Sessions
To support families, we hold Parent Information Evenings during the summer term before children begin Reception. During this session, parents receive an overview of the Reception year, including learning expectations and routines. We encourage families to see the classrooms and outdoor spaces, giving both children and parents a chance to familiarise themselves with the school environment. Welcome packs are provided, containing important information such as uniform guidelines and term dates, helping parents prepare for their child’s next steps in their educational journey.
Settling-in Sessions
Settling-in Sessions are also offered during the summer term. We run two stay and play sessions where parents are encouraged to attend with their child. Attending these sessions supports children to feel comfortable in their new surroundings before they begin attending school independently.
Home Visits
Parent/Teacher Meetings are held to ensure early conversations take place about each pupil. These meetings give class teachers the opportunity to learn about your child’s interests and experiences from home, supporting a smooth transition into school life. These discussions are vital for effective transitions, as they encourage ongoing, two-way communication between home and school. Knowing children’s interests helps teachers create a welcoming and engaging environment to ensure pupils feel comfortable as they begin their learning journey.
Transitions Throughout the School
In addition to early years transitions, we provide information sessions for parents as children complete Reception and prepare to move into Year 1. We also offer sessions to support the transition from Year 2 to Year 3, ensuring a smooth move into Key Stage 2. Furthermore, there is a dedicated meeting for parents of Year 6 pupils to outline SATs expectations and provide guidance on how to support children at home during this important stage before children transition to high school.
Pastoral Care and Safeguarding
At Queensway, safeguarding our children is our highest priority.
It is the responsibility of every member of staff, volunteer and visitor to our school to ensure that they are aware of safeguarding and the requirements to follow procedures at all times.
Everyone must work in a way that will safeguard and promote the welfare of all the pupils at this school. Everyone must take on the responsibility of providing a safe environment in which children can learn.
All visitors to the school will be asked to sign in and will be informed what they will need to do in the event of concerns regarding safeguarding. Contractors and agencies working within the school will be asked for proof of ID and a copy of their DBS.
We also have three safegarding leads parents and guardians can contact if they have any concerns about a safeguarding matter.
SEND Provision
At Queensway, we are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment where every pupil can thrive and succeed. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and our SEND provision reflects this commitment. Our universal offer ensures that all pupils, regardless of their individual needs or background, have access to high-quality teaching, tailored learning resources, and comprehensive pastoral care. We work closely with families and specialists to create personalised support that enables each child to flourish both academically and personally.
Our universal offer for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) means inclusive provision is available to all students, whether or not they have a formal diagnosis. This includes access to high quality teaching practices, reasonable adjustments in the classroom, and a positive learning environment that respects and celebrates diversity. By embedding inclusive strategies into everyday teaching, we ensure that all pupils feel valued and supported, enabling them to engage confidently with their learning.
At Queensway, we ensure that all children are exposed to proven strategies to help them access the curriculum effectively. For example, we use visual timetables to help pupils understand the structure of their day. We also break down tasks into smaller, manageable steps, ordering these clearly and providing clear modelling to support understanding. These are just a few of the approaches we use; for more information on the full range of strategies employed at Queensway, we encourage parents and carers to speak with our school leadership team.
We offer a range of targeted interventions tailored to individual needs, ensuring that every child receives the right level of support to make progress. For pupils requiring additional support, we implement learning plans following the Assess-Plan-Do-Review cycle, which allows us to assess needs, plan appropriate interventions, deliver targeted support, and review progress regularly. Our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) leads this process in collaboration with teachers, parents, and external professionals. Beyond academics, we prioritise social and emotional wellbeing, fostering resilience, confidence, and positive relationships. At Queensway, SEND provision is not just about meeting needs but empowering all children to succeed in every aspect of school life.
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. The Infant school curriculum builds strong foundations, gradually moving away from child-initiated learning and becomes more teacher-led. The Junior school curriculum follows on from this and teaches powerful knowledge so that children can understand, access and influence our society.
Our curriculum empowers our pupils to develop the knowledge and skills they require to be successful in the wider world. It is structured by traditional subjects and logically sequenced to ensure systematic and thorough teaching for all to ensure links are made between and across subjects.
We place an intentional focus on ensuring reading is at the heart of our curriculum. It is through the explicit teaching of
vocabulary, a focus on reading in class and an accompanying love of reading that we aim to ensure that all pupils strive towards exceptional outcomes regardless of their background.
We intend to provide our pupils with a wealth of experiences both inside and outside of the classroom.
Reading
We are passionate about ensuring every child develops the skills and knowledge they need, inspiring a love of reading that opens the door to the best academic opportunities.
In Early Years we teach children to read using the Read Write Inc. system of phonics teaching, providing them with the ability and confidence to sound-out both familiar and new words.
We have carefully planned our sequence of core texts to ensure our pupils encounter a
range of themes and narrative perspectives as well as cultural and historical contexts. Our selection of texts range from Shakespeare and Greek myths through to modern classics such as ‘The Railway Children’ and ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’.
Music Matters at Queensway
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. As part of our commitment to music education, we also offer our students a range of lessons with
our highly-skilled and experienced team of Visiting 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 as 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.
Extra-Curricular Activities
At Queensway Academy we provide many extra-curricular opportunities that give our pupils the chance to try something new, be creative and expressive, and spend time having fun with friends.
In the mornings, we offer a Breakfast Club at Queensway Academy, available daily throughout the week, with children able to arrive from 8:00 AM. During this time, children can socialise with peers across all key stages and take part in activities such as drawing and games.
After-school clubs are available Tuesday through to Thursday. These clubs begin at 3:30 PM and end at 4:15 PM. Pupils can participate in exciting extra-curricular activities ranging from arts and crafts to drama and sport. Our clubs are led by either our Classroom Assistants or external providers.
Examples of our clubs include:
Football
Basketball
Partnerships
At Queensway, we believe that strong partnerships are key to providing the best possible education and support for our pupils. We work closely with local schools, including other Inspiration Trust academies and secondary schools, to ensure smooth transitions and share best practices. This collaboration helps us create a consistent and supportive learning journey for every child. Additionally, we work with local nurseries when children start in Reception to ensure that important transition documents and information are shared effectively.
Gardening
Choir
Dance
Gymnastics
Dodgeball
Athletics
Forest School
Bench Ball
Golf
Hockey
Clay Sculpting
Board Games
DT Club
Computer Club
At Queensway Academy, we are committed to ensuring that every pupil can explore their interests, develop new skills, and build confidence in a supportive environment.
We also value the vital role parents and carers play in their children’s education. From the very beginning, we carry out home visits as part of your child’s transition into Reception to build strong relationships with families. We encourage open and ongoing communication to foster trust, ensuring parents feel involved and supported every step of the way. Through regular meetings, workshops, and events, we work closely with parents to celebrate successes and address any challenges promptly.
Our Student Council
At Queensway Academy we believe that every child should have a voice, and our school council team is one of the ways we make this happen.
The school council is made up of one representative from each class where they meet regularly to share ideas, discuss ways to improve our school, participate in decisionmaking processes and to make sure that all pupils feel listened to and involved in school life.
We focus on:
Listening to pupil voice - they actively listen to the views of their peers and bring this feedback to council meetings for discussion.
Improving our school environment - from new playground ideas to eco-friendly actions.
Being a positive role model – they will demonstrate exemplary behaviour and consistently upholding school rules and expectations.
Promoting our school values – helping to make sure our school is a happy, safe and welcoming place for everyone.
Supporting British Values across the school –through democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.
Supporting fundraising and school eventsmaking a difference both in and beyond school. The children share ideas that they have for school events and help organise parts of these.
Our House System
Students at Queensway join one of four houses: Angles, Danes, Iceni or Normans. These houses are named after groups of people who moved to the Thetford region over many centuries. Every year, students at our school have the opportunity to win points for their house.
Taking Part in Trust-wide Sports Competitions
At Inspiration Trust we pride ourselves on our sports provision which not only includes a nationally-recognised sports curriculum, but includes half-termly trust-wide sports competitions.
These competitions include football, athletics and dodgeball, and sees us working in partnership with brilliant local organisations such as the UEA Sportspark and The Nest in order to offer our students the very best facilities in which to compete. The atmosphere at these events is always described as electric!
Through taking part in sporting competitions our students are given the chance to shine outside of the classroom and learn vital skills such as the importance of team work, determination, patience and perseverance.
It is also proven that taking part in sport encourages higher standards of achievement, improves cognitive function and improves overall wellbeing through having fun and making friendships.
Primary Olympiads
Whilst outstanding sports provision is often overlooked within the state sector, all of us at Queensway believe it is a core part of what every pupil should expect from their time in education and we are proud to deliver that.
All pupils have the opportunity to be involved in our trust-wide Olympiads. These see pupils compete in competitions within their favourite subjects, allowing them to shine in areas where they are gifted.
One of our strategic aims is to ensure each and every child fulfils their potential. We believe this potential is not only reached through academic success, but through wider opportunities such as competitive programmes.
Our Olympiads cover everything from maths and modern foreign languages through to geography and computer science. They help children learn about teamwork and morals, and offer a fun, alternative way to explore the subjects they love.
School Meals
At Queensway, all pupils in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 are entitled to a free school lunch. We encourage parents who are in receipt of benefits to complete the free school meals application form, as this not only helps your child but also provides additional funding to the school—several thousand pounds per eligible pupil. This supports the resources and opportunities we can offer.
Our school canteen offers a healthy, balanced menu designed to meet a variety of tastes and dietary needs. To help children feel comfortable with their choices, we provide parents with a menu in advance so children know what to expect and can select meals that suit their preferences. Parents also have the option to send their child with a balanced, healthy packed lunch if they prefer.
Our children enjoy their school meals in the school hall, surrounded by their peers and members of staff. This is an important part of our school day, as it supports children’s social development by providing opportunities to build friendships and practice social skills in a welcoming environment.
Throughout the school day, children are offered nutritious snacks such as bagels and fresh fruit to keep them energised and ready to learn. During breakfast club, pupils can enjoy a variety of cereals as well as hot options like beans on toast, providing a wholesome start to the day.
Our Uniform
We believe that school uniform promotes the ethos of our school, and helps set an appropriate tone for education.
At Queensway, our uniform is formal, clearly defined and we expect all students to wear it correctly and with pride.
All students should wear the appropriate uniform unless there is a valid medical or cultural reason why they cannot wear a particular item or why they have to wear an additional garment.
Our uniform consists of a:
Red sweatshirt or cardigan
Grey or black skirt or trousers
White polo shirt, blouse or shirt
Optional Uniform Items
Red gingham or red striped school dress
Grey or black shorts may be worn in summer months
Our polo shirt, fleece and sweatshirt are branded and are available from our supplier MyClothing.com. Non-branded items can be purchased from local supermarkets and shops as well as online platforms such as Amazon or eBay.
The Infant Admissions Process
By law, children must start full-time statutory education 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.
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.
If you have any queries about an application for a place at Queensway Infant and Nursery 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 website.
Admissions Team, County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich NR1 2DL
Telephone: 0344 800 8020
Email: admissions@norfolk.gov.uk
The Junior Admissions Process
When Does a Child Start Junior School?
The transfer to junior school is for children in their last year at an infant school (aged 7+ on 1 September). To find out the deadline to apply, visit our website.
Applying for a Place at Junior School
To apply for a place at our junior school, please fill in an application via Norfolk County Council.
Alternatively, you can email the Admissions Team via admissions@norfolk.gov.uk with the following essential information:
Your name
Child’s name
Child’s date of birth
Child’s address
Your telephone number and your preference(s)
You may choose up to three school preferences and include reasons for your preference, although these reasons can only be considered if they support one of the over-subscription criteria for a school.
If you do not live in Norfolk you must apply to your home local authority, even if you want to apply for a Norfolk school. Your application will be treated as late and therefore have a lower priority than applications received on time.
Decisions
If you applied online, decisions will be available in spring on the school admissions website. If you completed a paper application form, we will send you a letter in spring, by second-class post, telling you the decision. To find out the timetable of decision dates for this year, visit our website.
Queensway Infant Academy and Nursery, Queensway, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 3DR
