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Westminster Academy Trust 
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Email: admin@st-marys-royston.herts.sch.uk
Melbourn Road, Royston, Herts, SG8 7DB

Outside Learning


"Teachers are taking more opportunity to enrich lessons by using the outside environment."
                                                            Ofsted December 2017
 

 

Our ongoing vision at St Mary's is to provide our children with excellent academic standards, high achievement and a wonderfully enriched curriculum.

Part of this vision involves a big focus on Outdoor Learning.

The benefits of Outdoor Learning are proven:

Providing a varied, stimulating and exciting curriculum encourages children to be  motivated to learn

Contextualised learning

Inspiration for cross curricular learning

Develops personal and practical skills in a less restrictive environment

Use of natural resources

 Group work negotiation and co-operation 

 Mathematical and scientific skills

 Health benefits

 Development of fine and gross motor skills

 Enquiry based learning

 Stimulates creativity

 Develop citizenship and British values

 Reflective thinking

 Alternative to the internet world


We are continuing to focus on our outdoor area particularly the courtyard outside the Hall formerly the Prayer Garden.

 

We are planning to cover this to create an outdoor classroom. 

We are also hoping to improve our growing garden and woodland area. The children are really keen and are already taking part in projects and activities.

Recommendations for Outside Education and Grounds Development (pdf)

Please continue to support the Friends events. The money you raise is needed.

 

Latest News Latest News

January 2020 NewsletterDecember 2019 NewsletterNovember 2019 Newsletter Click Here for More News...

School Calendar School Calendar

1579478400Array ( [0] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [1] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Inset days [date2] => 02 & 03 September ) [2] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Autumn Term Starts 8:55am [date2] => 04 September ) [3] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Welcome Mass, school hall at 09:15am (Parents Welcome) [date2] => TBC ) [4] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Yr 5 Wye Valley trip meeting 2.45pm [date2] => 18 September ) [5] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => EYFS Parents welcome evening 6pm [date2] => 19 September ) [6] => Array ( [date4] => 21/09/2019 [date] => 1569024000 [date3] => 21/09 [title] => Friends AGM Welcome back event [date2] => 21 September ) [7] => Array ( [date4] => 25/09/2019 [date] => 1569369600 [date3] => 25/09 [title] => Yr 3 Parents Meeting Burwell trip 2:45pm [date2] => 25 September ) [8] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => MacMillan Coffee Morning 9.15-11am (Parents Welcome) [date2] => 27 September ) [9] => Array ( [date4] => 27/09/2019 [date] => 1569542400 [date3] => 27/09 [title] => Friends AGM in school  hall (all welcome) [date2] => 27 September ) [10] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [11] => Array ( [date4] => 01/10/2019 [date] => 1569961140 [date3] => 01/10 [title] =>   [date2] => October 2019 ) [12] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [13] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Yr 4 Phasels Wood meeting at 2.45pm [date2] => 1 October ) [14] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Yr 6 Scarborough trip meeting at 2.45pm [date2] => 3 October ) [15] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Art Day [date2] => TBC ) [16] => Array ( [date4] => 15/10/2019 [date] => 1571097600 [date3] => 15/10 [title] => School Photographs Whole school [date2] => 15 October ) [17] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Parents Evening and Herts Catering Taster Session [date2] => 23 October ) [18] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Parents Evening [date2] => 24 October ) [19] => Array ( [date4] => 25/10/2019 [date] => 1571961600 [date3] => 25/10 [title] => Harvest festival mass at 2pm (Parents Welcome) [date2] => 25 October ) [20] => Array ( [date4] => 25/10/2019 [date] => 1571961600 [date3] => 25/10 [title] => School closes at 3.15pm [date2] => 25 October ) [21] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [22] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => HALF TERM [date2] => 28 Oct - 1 Nov ) [23] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [24] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] => November 2019 ) [25] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [26] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Autumn term continues [date2] => 4 November ) [27] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Open Morning  10 - 12am [date2] => 5 November ) [28] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Remembrance Assembly 10.45 (Parents welcome) [date2] => 11 November ) [29] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Anti Bullying Week (All week) [date2] => 11 November ) [30] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Children in Need - own clothes day [date2] => 15 November ) [31] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Reception to Year 5 - Nasal Flu vaccinations [date2] => TBC ) [32] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Yr 6 Duxford trip [date2] => 29 November ) [33] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Friends Chrismas Fayre at 2:15pm [date2] => 30 November ) [34] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [35] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [36] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => EYFS Nativity (Parents Welcome) [date2] => 3 December ) [37] => Array ( [date4] => 04/12/2019 [date] => 1575417600 [date3] => 04/12 [title] => EYFS trip Audley End [date2] => 4 December ) [38] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Pantomime (Feast Day)   2pm [date2] => 6 December ) [39] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => School Mass 2pm (Parents welcome) [date2] => TBC ) [40] => Array ( [date4] => 11/12/2019 [date] => 1576022400 [date3] => 11/12 [title] => Christmas Dinner [date2] => 11 December ) [41] => Array ( [date4] => 11/12/2019 [date] => 1576022400 [date3] => 11/12 [title] => Mince-pie Afternoon 2:30pm (Parents welcome) [date2] => 11 December ) [42] => Array ( [date4] => 13/12/2019 [date] => 1576195200 [date3] => 13/12 [title] => KS1 Christmas Party [date2] => 13 December ) [43] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => KS2  Christmas Party [date2] => 16 December ) [44] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => EYFS Party am [date2] => 18 December ) [45] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => The Real Outside Nativity 7pm [date2] => 18 December ) [46] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => School ends at 1:30pm (NO after school club) [date2] => 19 December ) [47] => Array ( [date4] => 20/12/2019 [date] => 1576800000 [date3] => 20/12 [title] => Occasional Day [date2] => 20 December ) [48] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [49] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS [date2] => 23 Dec - 3 Jan ) [50] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [51] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [52] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Spring term starts 8:55am [date2] => 6 January ) [53] => Array ( [date4] => 20/01/2020 [date] => 1579478400 [date3] => 20/01 [title] => Yrs 5 & 6 Pantomime 1:30pm (Parents welcome) [date2] => 20 January ) [54] => Array ( [date4] => 27/01/2020 [date] => 1580083200 [date3] => 27/01 [title] => Holocaust Assembly 2:30pm (Parents welcome - not suitable for pre school children) [date2] => 27 January ) [55] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [56] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] => February 2020 ) [57] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [58] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Yr 3 Burwell House [date2] => 29 Jan - 30 Jan ) [59] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => E-Safety Week [date2] => 10 February ) [60] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Parents evening 5-7pm [date2] => 12 February ) [61] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Parents evening 2-4pm [date2] => 13 February ) [62] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Country Dancing Event (Children only) [date2] => 14 February ) [63] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => School closes at 3:15pm [date2] => 14 February ) [64] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [65] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => HALF TERM [date2] => 17 - 21 February ) [66] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [67] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => School term continues at 8:55am [date2] => 24 February ) [68] => Array ( [date4] => 26/02/2020 [date] => 1582675200 [date3] => 26/02 [title] => Ash Wednesday (Mass TBC) [date2] => 26 February ) [69] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [70] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] => March 2020 ) [71] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [72] => Array ( [date4] => 13/03/2020 [date] => 1584057600 [date3] => 13/03 [title] => Sport Relief - own clothes day [date2] => 13 March ) [73] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Mother's Day Sale [date2] => 20 March ) [74] => Array ( [date4] => 30/03/2020 [date] => 1585526400 [date3] => 30/03 [title] => Yrs 3 and 4 -  The Passon Play 1:30pm (Parents welcome) [date2] => 30 March ) [75] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [76] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] => April 2020 ) [77] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [78] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Year 6 Stations of the Cross (Parents welcome) [date2] => 3 April ) [79] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => School closes at 2:45pm [date2] => 3 April ) [80] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [81] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => EASTER HOLIDAYS [date2] => 6 - 17 April ) [82] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [83] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Summer term starts 8:50am [date2] => 20 April ) [84] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Update meeting for the Yr 5 Wye Valley Trip 2:45pm [date2] => 23  April ) [85] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [86] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] => May 2020 ) [87] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [88] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => May Day Bank Holiday [date2] => 8 May ) [89] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Yr 6 SATS week [date2] => 11 May ) [90] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => All Week Yr 5 Wye Valley Forest of Dean Trip [date2] => 11 May ) [91] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => SRE Week (All Week) [date2] => 18 May ) [92] => Array ( [date4] => 20/05/2020 [date] => 1589932800 [date3] => 20/05 [title] => Update Meeting Yr 4 Phasel's Wood Trip 2:45pm [date2] => 20 May ) [93] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Update Meeting Yr 6 Scarborough Trip 2:45pm [date2] => 21 May ) [94] => Array ( [date4] => 22/05/2020 [date] => 1590105600 [date3] => 22/05 [title] => School closes at 3:15pm [date2] => 22 May ) [95] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [96] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => HALF TERM [date2] => 25 May - 2June ) [97] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [98] => Array ( [date4] => 01/06/2020 [date] => 1591042800 [date3] => 01/06 [title] =>   [date2] => June 2020 ) [99] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [100] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Inset days [date2] => 1 & 2 June ) [101] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => School term continues at 8:55am [date2] => 3 June ) [102] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Yr 2 Sleepover meeting 2:45pm [date2] => 4 June ) [103] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Yr 6 Scarborough Trip (All week) [date2] => 7 June ) [104] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Father's Day sale [date2] => 19 June ) [105] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Yr 4 Phasel's Wood Trip 2:45pm [date2] => 18 - 21 June ) [106] => Array ( [date4] => 26/06/2020 [date] => 1593129600 [date3] => 26/06 [title] => Yr 2 Sleepover [date2] => 26 June ) [107] => Array ( [date4] => 29/06/2020 [date] => 1593388800 [date3] => 29/06 [title] => EYFS and KS1 Celebration Assembly 9:30am (Parents welcome) [date2] => 29 June ) [108] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [109] => Array ( [date4] => 01/07/2019 [date] => 1562012400 [date3] => 01/07 [title] =>   [date2] => July 2019 ) [110] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [111] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Transition morning (9:30-12) [date2] => 9 July ) [112] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => Open Evening 5:30-7:30pm [date2] => 9 July ) [113] => Array ( [date4] => 10/07/2020 [date] => 1594339200 [date3] => 10/07 [title] => Sports Day 9:30am [date2] => 10 July ) [114] => Array ( [date4] => 13/07/2020 [date] => 1594598400 [date3] => 13/07 [title] => Reserve Sports Day 9:30am [date2] => 13 July ) [115] => Array ( [date4] => 14/07/2020 [date] => 1594684800 [date3] => 14/07 [title] => Yr 6 Leavers Mass 11am [date2] => 14 July ) [116] => Array ( [date4] => 15/07/2020 [date] => 1594771200 [date3] => 15/07 [title] => Yrs 5 and 6 Production 7pm [date2] => 15 July ) [117] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => EYFS BBQ & Celebration Morning (Parents welcome) [date2] => 15 July ) [118] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] => School closes at 1:30pm [date2] => 16 July ) [119] => Array ( [date4] => 27/07/2020 [date] => 1595808000 [date3] => 27/07 [title] => Inset Day [date2] => 27 July ) [120] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [121] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [122] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [123] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [124] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [125] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [126] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) [127] => Array ( [date4] => 01/01/1970 [date] => [date3] => 01/01 [title] =>   [date2] =>   ) )
20/01Yrs 5 & 6 Pantomime 1:30pm (Parents welcome)27/01Holocaust Assembly 2:30pm (Parents welcome - not suitable for pre school children)26/02Ash Wednesday (Mass TBC) Click Here for More Dates...

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Mission Statement

Aiming high,  

dreaming bigger,

praying together,

growing in God's love.

Our Children Say...

"I like Science because we learn about cool things"
"I like Art because we can be creative"
"I love the school trips because they are great fun"
"I enjoy learning French because I like learning about other people in the world"
"I enjoy History because I like learning about what has happened in the past"  
"I like learning because it is fun to learn new things"
"I like spending time with my friends because they are special to me"
"The teachers are great, they are kind and look after us and they make our lessons exciting and fun"
"I like learning about Jesus and the lessons he taught us"
"I love singing hymns because it makes me feel happy"

Ofsted Statement

  "Pupils thrive in this school both in terms of academic achievement and personal wellbeing."
Ofsted December 2017




Our Blog...


See all our blog posts
We are delighted to share pictures of our newly refurbished kitchen. Courtesy of applying for a grant from the Government's "Sugar Tax"
Read more
"We are delighted that you are sharing this truly special and unique occasion. Thank you to all those who have made this event possible." We know you will experience the true meaning of Christmas "
Read more

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