Timeline

Formed September 2005

After the controvertial proposals to create a 'super school', the compromise solution, that of a federation of two primary schools was agreed.

Merger One

Longmeadow Infants and Nursery was merged with Longmeadow Junior to form the two form entry Longmeadow Primary.

Merger Two

Shephall Infants and Nursery site was closed and Burydale junior school was closed. The two school's staff and children being eventually combined onto the old Burydale site with a new name, Shephalbury Park Primary.

Federation

The two new schools formed a 'hard' federation with a single governing body looking after the interests of the two schools. Initially for a three year period a Federation Principal post was created to help manage the changes. Sue Thackeray (nee Tunmore), as Federation Principal did a lot of the groundwork for the federation leaving the Heads to manage the day to day running of the schools. while major refurbishment work was carried out on both sites.

The Federation Principal role was funded for a fixed period, which we managed to extend a little, but eventually Sue left the federation. At this point the Head's roles had to change. Governors agreed that there should be the concept of a leader of Federation and a deputy to the leader. It was agreed that these roles should be assigned to the two head teachers on the basis of their skills and thus currently the leader is Lorraine Hodgson and her deputy is Chelsea Atkins.

Refurbishment

The new schools had a two year period of upheaval while both had major refurbishment work carried out.

Shephalbury Meadow Federation

All about the Federation and what it means to you and your children

This page is currently under development

About the federation

The federation means that the governing body can make economies of scale and utilise its resources across the schools to gain the most effective education for your children.

There are many ways that this is currently being done and much of the improvement is probably not seen as being a direct result of the existence of the federation since you will see it as being something coming from your child's school.

The governors and senior leadership team at both schools work closely together to share good teaching practice, provide additional facilities and opportunities for learning across the federation, and jointly fund additional staff that work across the two schools.

All of these things happen at our schools as a result of the Federation:

Children's Centre

Go to the Broadwater Children's Centre website

Sharon Bell (Children's Centre Manager) in the centre, together with her team, do an excellent job working for you when your children are very young.

The Federation Principal, Sue Thackeray (nee Tunmore) had a very key role in the proposal and procuring of the Children's Centre on our site for the local area.

Breakfast Club and After School Club

The Bitesize Breakfast Club, named by the children, is based on the Longmeadow site. It is registered with OFSTED and can take children from 7:30am until they are escorted to their school and signed in for the start of the school day.

For more information and booking forms contact your child's school office.

The Bitesize After School Club is also based on the Longmeadow site. It is registered with OFSTED and can take children from 3:15pm until 6pm.

For more information and booking forms contact your child's school office.

Wider Opportunities Music Project

The federation takes part in the Governments National programme. For more details about how this scheme is run within Hertfordshire take a look at this link.

Both schools in the Federation are involved in the Wider Opportunities scheme, whereby every child in a particular KS2 class gets the opportunity to learn an instrument with their class for the year. In the early days of the Federation it was hoped that we would eventually have a Federation Orchestra - but this is something still "in the pipeline"! However, this meant that the decision was taken that students in Longmeadow would learn either a brass instrument or a stringed instrument and students in Shephalbury Park would learn a woodwind instrument. Most years have ended with a performance from each of the classes involved to both schools. We have even taken part in a performance at the Stevenage Sports and Leisure Centre to celebrate the Wider Opportunities scheme.

Until September 2011 Y4 students at Shephalbury Park have learnt the flute, but since September the Y3 class have been learning the fife. These small plastic instruments are proving to be a lot more robust and accessible for young beginner musicians. The class is making great progress and some have already deceided to have seperate lessons in addition to the Wider Opportunities class.

Choir

The federation choir is made up of children from both schools. They perform at Christmas events and other events through the year.

2011 update

The Shephalbury Meadow Federation Choir had a busy time in the lead up to Christmas.

Our celebrations began by joining the Stevenage Choral Society at the Church of St Andrew and St George for their Carol Concert on Saturday 3rd December. The choir sang a selection of Christmas Songs in both halves of the concert, but really stole the show with the uplifting song 'Believe' - every member of the choir clearly did believe the words.

I can do anything at all,
I can climb the highest mountain,
I can feel the ocean calling wild and free.
I can be anything I want,
With this hope to drive me onward,
If I can just believe in me.

On Thursday 8th the choir returned to Astrium and enjoyed a lovely Christmas dinner before they entertained the staff as they ate their Christmas dinner. The choir were then given an inspirational tour of the Astrium site and saw amazing science and technology up close.

In another new venture this year the choir visited the Roebuck Nursing Home on Tuesday 13th and sang for the residents and staff. It was lovely to hear them all joining in with the songs, especially the Chrsitmas classic 'White Christmas'.

Finally, the Shephalbury Park members made an appearance at the school's 'Angel Festival' on Wednesday 14th leading a selection of Christmas songs with parents and children joining in around the Christmas tree.

Music Technician

To be added

Support worker

To be added

Gardening Club

This takes place on the Shephalbury Park site.

Toy Library

The library is based at the Broadwater Children's Centre. It has toys suitable from Birth to 5 years. For more details visit the website.

Pre-school group

Playhouse Preschool Broadwater is based on the Longmeadow site. It runs during term time.

For more details contact Jo King on 07875 259692.