BECKFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL in Greater London, Camden

Education Centre Information: Beckford Primary School:

Establishment Type:Community School
Phase of Education: Primary
Status: Open
Local Authority: Camden
Boarders: No Boarders
Sixth Form: Does not have a sixth form
Urban/Rural Description: Urban > 10k - less sparse
Special Classes: No Special Classes
Religious Character: Does not apply
Nursery Provider: Has Nursery Classes
Total Pupils: 456
Number of boys: 227
Number of girls: 229
Age Range: 3-11
Gender: Mixed
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Special Educational Needs:

SEN Priority 1:PD - Physical Disability

Background:

Founded in 1886, this large Victorian two-form entry school in West Hampstead describes itself as a 'thriving inner city school serving a mixed and vibrant community'. The diversity of its pupil intake is reflected by the fact that more than 45 languages are spoken in the school, 30 per cent of pupils are bilingual and they originate from 60 different countries. More than 40 per cent of the pupils' families are on income support. Beckford receives additional funding from Camden for its Resource Base, opened in 1995, which currently caters for seven children with physical disabilities and enables them to be completely integrated into their respective classes (most areas are accessible by wheelchair). Five per cent of the pupils have statements of special educational needs and the staff has therefore developed 'considerable expertise' in supporting pupils with a wide range of such needs. The school has three playgrounds, one of which boasts a large adventure playground known as The Challenge. Beckford also offers a number of after-school clubs including a daily playcentre, Spanish, French, drama, football, a year 6 homework club, a Somali homework club and a class for Bengali speakers. Everyone is invited to weekly coffee mornings, the 'active' PSA helps fund projects and the school runs a trust fund which has charitable status. The school was awarded the Investor in People Charter in January 1999.