Maple Tree Lower School Information

Maple Tree Lower School was opened in September 2000 to serve the Fallow Field and more recently the St Ivel Park estates which are on the northern edge of the market town of Sandy. It is a school maintained by Central Bedfordshire Council but is managed by the school Governors. The Governors have overall responsibility for the school and delegate much of the internal management to the Head Teacher and staff. The current capacity of the school is 225 with an admission number of 45 for any one year group. In addition there is a nursery class which caters for up to 45 children on a part time basis following their third birthday. In the first year of the school opening, children aged 3 to 7 were admitted. The intake was gradually built up over the subsequent years until all year groups were established by 2002. In September 2003 the school opened its new building for the Foundation stage which was part of the 'Classroom of the Future Project' - a partnership venture between the DfES, Science Museum and three local schools. More recently, a further addition has provided an additional classroom, a working area for staff and a large resource room. Our school is housed in a new and modern building which offers bright and open learning environments. In addition to the classrooms, we have a library, a well equipped computer suite, a group room and a large multipurpose hall for assemblies, dining and a wide range of physical activities. Outside, we have a large field as well as hard play space. Our youngest children have access to their own secured play area. We are currently developing the landscape and have planted a range of trees, bushes and plants as well as erecting two large pavilions to provide outdoor learning spaces. During 09/10 we were successful in obtaining funding through the extended schools grant to provide accommodation for our out of schools groups. This has enabled us to provide a permanent building which is linked to the school for the use of the Kids Club, mother and toddler and the drop-in ...