Berger Primary School

Berger is a larger than average primary school in an inner-urban residential area. Pupils come from a wide range of backgrounds and a much higher proportion than is usual come from families where English is an additional language. A higher-than-average proportion of pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities. These are mostly moderate learning difficulties, or difficulties in the behavioural, emotional and social spectrum, or difficulties with speech, language and communication. The school has won several awards for its provision, including the Artsmark and the full International Award. It is actively involved in a 'creative partnership' programme which provides funding and expertise to stimulate creative approaches to the curriculum and learning environment. The Early Years Foundation Stage has places for 110 children age 3-5. Extended services are run by the governing body, including a breakfast club.

In Berger we have children from various backgrounds- mostly from immigrant families-Turkish, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Vietnamese, Bosnian, Portuguese, Punjabi, Albanian, Twi, French, Polish are just to name a few and thus we respect diversity greatly. Since parents play a vital part in a child’s education especially in early years we are planning to have (sharing) meetings with parents after visits to be able to share our experience and cultural and geographical information-songs, plays, exhibition of drawings of the children- through slides, videos and make them have a chance to see how other nurseries work in different countries to promote cultural awareness. Also this sharing of knowledge will make our parents from the countries that take part in this project (such as Turkish, Spanish, Romanian etc.) will feel included and proud. Another activity is to have children sending postcards to each other to build up the relationship between the schools and cultures.