Organisation of Learning
Buckingham Park is a three form entry primary school, which means that we have capacity for three classes per year group.
There are seven year groups, divided into three main phases:
- The Early Years Foundation Stage is Reception (4–5 yrs)
- Key Stage 1 is Year 1 (5–6 yrs) and Year 2 (6–7 yrs)
- Key Stage 2 is Year 3 (7–8 yrs) & Year 4 (8–9 yrs) [Lower KS2] and Year 5 (9–10 yrs) & Year 6 (10–11 yrs) [Upper KS2]
This year we have 548 pupils on roll. The children are organised into twenty one classes as shown in the table below.
| Age | Class name |
| Reception | Linnets |
| Reception | Finches |
| Reception | Robins |
| Year 1 | Nightingales |
| Year 1 | Wrens |
| Year 1 | Bramblings |
| Year 2 | Swallows |
| Year 2 | Wagtails |
| Year 2 | Nuthatches |
| Year 3 | Tawny Owls |
| Year 3 | Kestrels |
| Year 3 | Skylarks |
| Year 4 | Woodpeckers |
| Year 4 | Jays |
| Year 4 | Kittiwakes |
| Year 5 | Redwings |
| Year 5 | Lapwings |
| Year 5 | Swifts |
| Year 6 | Blackbirds |
| Year 6 | Seagulls |
| Year 6 | Kingfishers |
Each class has their own classroom. Each class has its own class teacher or teachers where two teachers share the role. We have additional spaces and rooms that are used for group and individual teaching.
All our teachers are fully qualified to work with primary aged children and together have a wide, rich range of experience, abilities and skills which they bring to the life and work of our school. Teachers are happy in this school with some having been with us for many years. We also welcome Early Career Teachers (newly qualified teachers) and have strong links with both Brighton University and Sussex University teacher training programmes.
Our class teachers are assisted by a great team of support staff, including office staff, and a fantastic site manager. Teachers and pupils take great pride in their classrooms, ensuring that the children’s work is on display and that everything is well organised and well presented. This is vital in creating the right atmosphere for learning.
At Buckingham Park teachers adopt a range of teaching styles and strategies, dependent on the activity and lesson objectives. Each week there will be occasions when children work individually, as one of a pair, as part of a mixed ability group, and as a member of the whole class. Each day’s groups, and focus group for the teacher, are defined by the previous day’s learning and marking of work. Different children respond to different teaching and learning styles and we are constantly working to improve our knowledge and skills through staff training to reflect on good practice and to challenge ourselves and do our best for all children.