FAQ

We aspire to fully exploit individual pupil’s potential and achieve excellent education standards for the whole school with holistic (mental, physical, social, cultural and spiritual) development of all pupils (including EAL, SEN, HA/G&T). The school is inclusive with an international outlook and value based education based on the Sikh ethos.

The curriculum is holistic, broad and balanced with a thematic approach specialising in literacy. Each pupil will receive individual attention and the school will be family centred with opportunities for adult learning.

We currently have 1 x Reception class, 1 x yr 1 class, 1 x Yr 2 class, 1 x Yr 3 class and 1 x Yr 4 class. By September 2020 we will have all primary age classes available, giving us a total number of 420 pupil spaces, across Year R to 6.

No. Whilst the school promotes a Sikh ethos and the importance of strong values, we have a responsibility to offer an education for pupils of all faiths, and none.

There is no charge to attend Akaal Primary School. It is directly funded by the Department for Education, in the same way as all state funded schools.

No. Students from all faiths and ethnic groups living in the area are welcome to join the school. One of our core values is ‘Wellbeing of All’ (Sarbat da Bhalla).

There are about 7 to 8 thousand Sikhs, and four Gurdwaras in Derby. The Sikh faith places value on the contribution of all to the development of society and strong moral values. The Sikh ethos of liberty, equality and fraternity of humankind, and its three pillars of meditation, honest earning and sharing with no discrimination for gender, race or ethnicity, help our young people prepare for, and understand, the diverse society they live in. Good behaviour, academic excellence, the development of the whole child, community identity and the development of an international outlook is the basis of our approach at Akaal Primary School.

We will offer the National Curriculum. This will be done using as thematic learning approach, a strong Phonics programme and outstanding teaching.

We will follow the SACRE rules for teaching about all faiths. An additional 50 minutes per week is given to the Faith Development in normal school hours. Parents are at liberty to withdraw their child from this session and alternative provision will be put in place. As the school grows and the number of faith groups represented increases, we intend for this session to allow an understanding of faith at a greater depth for more than just Sikh faith pupils. However, after school clubs will have some options that help to support the Sikh faith, but again these will be open to all pupils.

Staff members will be employed on the basis of ability and experience. Recruitment will be in line with employment regulations and DfE guidelines. Some teachers may be of Sikh faith.

Yes. We work together with local schools to achieve high educational standards and good community links. We are part of a programme to exchange good practice with all local schools and form stronger partnerships with them. We have also developed partnerships with pupils in the wider area, through the linking schools project, and are about to start a friendship programme with a school in China.

Akaal Primary School will have a positive impact on the existing schools as it will absorb over-subscription in schools beyond their capacity. In view of increasing school age population in Normanton our school will take some burden from the Local Authority. APS will create more choices for parents for where they can send their children. It will encourage healthy competition for improvement of education in all schools of the area.