Holbrook Primary School is an attractive modern co-educational day school for children aged from four to eleven years.  It is situated on a large site in a residential area in northern Horsham, and serves the local community there.

The school opened in September 1992 and has accommodation for 420 pupils; the roll during 2007-2008 is expected to be approximately 405. There are 14 classes.

The main school building is very spacious and light, and is fitted to a high standard. Considerable thought has been put into the design, which also features a large and a small hall, group rooms, library, ICT suite and children's food technology area.  In addition to the main building, there is a two-mobile classroom block (with toilets) for learning support and technology. Outdoor space includes both grass and tarmac playing areas plus a conservation area which has a stream running through it.

School Organisation 

There are two classes of up to 30 reception children working in the Foundation Stage.  These children follow an Early Years Curriculum designed to prepare them, through a range of age-appropriate learning styles, to make a gradual transition towards the National Curriculum at the start of Year 1.  In Key Stage 1 there are two classes in Y1 and Y2, all of which contain 30 children or fewer.  The children spend most of their time with their class teacher and classroom assistants working as a whole class, as individuals or in groups.  The groups may be selected by ability, particularly in mathematics, or they may be mixed ability or based on friendships.  All groupings are flexible allowing children to move between groups as appropriate.

In Key Stage 2 there are two classes in Y3,4,5 and 6.  The children spend most of their time with their own teacher using a balance of whole class, individual and group work.  Some ability grouping in mathematics involves ‘setting’ between classes and some movement of children and teachers; this enables children to study with others of similar aptitude to maximise learning gain.  At KS2 children sometimes work with different teachers to take advantage of individual teachers’ special areas of expertise, eg in music, ICT, PE.

Every class has a timetable to ensure a balanced use of time across the curriculum and to provide each class with weekly access to shared resources such as the hall, studio, ICT room, etc.  There is some linkage between subjects to provide ongoing themes, but most subjects are taught independently.  When children are working in groups, the groups may be studying different subjects in order to optimise use of resources and time.