Discover Yarrells

Yarrells is proud to fly the ‘Green Flag’ for the work we do to protect and conserve the environment, both locally, nationally and internationally. We are an ‘eco-school’, recycling and re-using where possible and always looking to reduce our carbon footprint . We operate car sharing to and from school and encourage the school community to reduce our impact on the environment around us. We regularly take part in beach cleans, recycling drives and the Pupil Parliament is constantly working to canvas the Head to find ways for the school to operate more sustainably. We often have ‘meat-free Mondays’, ‘refuse to use palm oil’ and we regularly raise money for environmental causes.

Having asked our current parents to describe the atmosphere at Yarrells, the words they have used are ‘happy’, ‘nurturing’ and ‘caring’ to name just a few. Each pupil’s personal, social, health and emotional development is carefully supported by a web of committed professionals at the school. Each child’s form tutor links closely with the pastoral leadership team, the teaching staff, the co-ordinator for PSHE and the SEN and safeguarding teams, and all consult in depth with the Head to provide a strong and loving support system for the children in our care. Parents are involved throughout and we work hard to support children as they face life’s ups and downs, celebrating their good times and supporting in their more challenging moments.

Our homework schedule is tailored to each year group. In the lower years, the focus is on building strong foundations in maths, spelling, and reading in particular.  As children move through the school, homework becomes more topic-based, offering different ways to present work and plenty of room for creativity. This cross-curricular approach helps pupils develop independence, take ownership of their learning, and apply a wide range of skills—including computing. Some projects may run over several weeks and can be completed during weekends or holidays, giving families the flexibility they need.

We have high expectations but will always be flexible in our approach if homework is overwhelming.

It should be meaningful and helpful; not stressful.

CLICK HERE to download our Homework Policy

We pride ourselves on the relationships we build with our pupils. We ensure we really know every child, their strengths and their struggles and we work hard to stretch and support accordingly. Yarrells takes great care to provide the best education for a wide spectrum of pupil needs and our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators and their team of specialist, qualified staff not only tutor individual children but also work with small groups throughout the week. Our specialist team liaises with parents, teachers and, as appropriate, specialist professionals from outside the school to provide pupils with a structured learning programme. All children have individual provision plans created for them and everyone is involved in ensuring the strategies and action plans are met where relevant. We are proud to report that we have a fine track record of success and can substantiate the value we have added to each child’s learning journey. 

Learning takes place everywhere and we make sure we get outside every day! We are so fortunate to be able to learn in the beautiful environment of Yarrells each day.

Using our extensive woodland site, field, gardens and nature pond, the children in the Early Years and Pre-Prep are able to take their learning outside as a matter of course. We use our wonderful grounds to enrich learning in a variety of curriculum areas as well as for recreation and conservation.

It could be calculating area in maths using the field and tennis courts, acting out a scene from one of our stories underneath the trees in the woodland, creating forest art using natural materials or developing our understanding of ecology and the need to conserve and preserve through working in our kitchen garden.

The children have a keen sense of their place in nature as well as their responsibility to sustainability and all children in Years 1 and 2 have the opportunity to contribute to the work of our pupil Environment Committee which comprises of a member of each class, from Year 1 to Year 6.

At Yarrells, Pupil Wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do and is woven into every aspect of our provision. We believe that when children feel emotionally secure, they can truly flourish. By building strong foundations of happiness and support, we create an environment where each pupil thrives. We continually assess our children to ensure they are experiencing the right balance of stretch and enjoyment.

Certain features of our provision are designed to support this directly.  Our regular ‘Buddy Break’ is a mentor scheme, where our senior children support our children in Reception in tasks or activities, from reading together to creating a game to cheering them on in a challenge. Firm friendships are made and both children reap the rewards from the time they spend together.

Our dedicated Wellbeing Committee, as part of our Pupil Parliament, lead assemblies and help run Wellbeing Clubs and different initiatives. A new resource, aptly named ‘The Woodpecker Shed’, has been filled with boxes of play equipment, carefully selected by each committee for pupils to use at breaktimes.

For times of challenge and when the need arises, we have two qualified Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSA), who support individual pupils when they most need a little extra support. Alongside this supportive framework, our form teachers remain the champion of every child in their form, seeking every opportunity to shine a light on strengths and achievements of the children.

Wellbeing remains a priority and throughout the year we offer a range of enriching activities across the whole school: Zen Guinea Pig Club, Forest School ‘Walking with Winnie’, gardening, meditation, origami and exploring nature trails, to name but a few. These hands-on experiences not only nurture emotional health in our children, but also foster a deep connection to nature and the world around them.

At Yarrells, wellbeing is strongly valued, and we are committed to providing a safe and supportive space for all pupils to grow, learn and succeed. Our whole school culture is kind and considerate and we expect nothing less.

We hold school assemblies across the week and these are important occasions to encourage aspects of PSHEE and to engage in a relevant topic or theme that enhances the children’s educational experience, reflections and a hymn each week.

The assembly discussion will often be of a moral or ethical nature and from time-to-time children give presentations for school assemblies, which help to develop their confidence and are enjoyable for the participant and audience.

We hold an important assembly for the whole school each Friday, which provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the school community. At times we have a visitor from the locality but frequently it is a class from the school that takes this part of the assembly.  We also have individual musical items performed by children and our pupils are encouraged to bring in certificates or talk about awards or recognition that they have received in activities that may not be associated with the school. These assemblies provide an excellent opportunity to acknowledge progress and achievement and each week we award a ‘Star of the Week’ certificate to one child in each class. This can be for effort, progress or success in any area of involvement at school. Our school assemblies are designed to be happy occasions for the school to meet and for us to appreciate our sense of community. We always light the candles on our school birthday cake and invite those who have enjoyed a birthday in the week to come and get a sticker whilst being sung to – including staff!

The curriculum is full of rich opportunities for taking learning off-site and our children are able to make the most of our beautiful location to enhance their learning.

They explore geographical features of the Jurassic coast, coasteer at Dancing Ledge and Lulworth Cove, explore the scientific world at Winchester Science Museum, become diplomats and passionate debaters at the MUN events in local senior schools to name just a few.

Both our senior year groups take a week for a residential trip: Year 5 to a local conservation centre at the coast where they learn about ecology, the natural world and intertwine their geographical and scientific knowledge; and Year 6 sail off to Normandy, France for a week of rich historical and linguistic experience.

This trip represents the pinnacle of their time at Yarrells, strengthens bonds between the children and helps further develop their independence, leadership and resilience before they say goodbye to us in the summer.

Our School Charter sets out the values and commitments that every member of our community — pupils, staff, and families — agrees to uphold. Download a copy below or view the image to read it in full.

School Charter — download or view