The Federation of Shepherdswell Church of England and Eythorne Elvington Community Primary Schools

The Federation was formally constituted in January 2012 when Eythorne Elvington joined Shepherdswell under the leadership of the then Shepherdswell Headteacher.

Working together both schools have flourished and grown such that both are now high performing schools – Shepherdswell have a Good rating with Ofsted and Eythorne Elvington have an Outstanding rating. Both schools have expanded their pupil numbers and the outcomes for pupils are fantastic.

We have reaped the benefits of working together, sharing resources and staff expertise across the two schools. The SENDCo works across both schools as does our Forest School leader. TAs have been flexible and worked at both schools as the needs arise.

Pupils can access joint activities such as sport competitions and Y6 residential weeks. They also have also shared experiences both in and out of school.

The Federation has a very positive collaboration with other schools in the local area which enables sharing of good practice, moderation and training.

The Federation has a very strong single Governing Board comprising of individuals from both school communities. With Senior Leaders the Board is responsible for both schools and for ensuring that the Federation remains strong and develops. A 5 year strategic plan for the Federation has been drafted.

Key elements are the continued growth of both schools such that:-

Both Schools to be graded as Outstanding by OFSTED while still providing every pupil with the opportunity to fully develop

Eythorne Elvington school to have an increased number of classes; working towards individual year group classes

Both schools to be oversubscribed for YR on an annual basis

Links with the local community and churches are enhanced, extended and firmly embedded so that the schools can use their experiences and resources and vice versa.

Well-being and Mental health provision embedded at both schools with a possible stand-alone ‘counselling building’