A warm welcome from our
Headteacher
St Botolph’s Church of England Primary School aims to provide a stimulating and varied programme of education to enable children of all abilities and backgrounds to acquire confidence, knowledge and skills within an environment of the Christian faith and practice, respecting also those from other faiths. Staff, children, parents and governors work together for the care of the school within the community, committed to the spiritual, social, moral and intellectual welfare of the pupils.
Aletheia Academies Trust
In 2014, with Shorne C of E Primary and Saint George’s C of E School, St. Botolph’s C of E Primary School formed the Aletheia Academies Trust.
Aletheia is committed to sustaining high-quality schools and supporting schools in need of specific improvement in some of the more challenging wards in Kent. Our focus is to provide school improvement services that draw on the wealth of practice from across our trust, broaden the expertise available to schools through flexible working arrangements and increase our capacity to quickly respond to the needs of individual schools. Pedagogical excellence is at the heart of all we do with a sustained focus on collaborative and mastery learning.
Latest News
Celebrating St Botolph’s Day
A huge well done to our amazing Year 4 pupils for their fantastic performance in the St Botolph's Day Play. The children worked incredibly hard to produce a thoughtful and engaging retelling of St Botolph’s life,...
St Botolph’s Outdoor Artwork
On Thursday, we welcomed Laura from 'Outdoor Studios' into our school who took us outside to explore with natural materials. We began to experiment with using paint and even cherries from our school field. Once...
Young Carers Week
On Thursday 12th June, our young carers met to mark Carer's Week. We completed our Imago transition booklets to pass to our new teacher or new school. We shared the new young carer's story book...
stbotolphscofe
A huge well done to our amazing Year 4 pupils for their fantastic performance in the St Botolph`s Day Play.
The children worked incredibly hard to produce a thoughtful and engaging retelling of St Botolph’s life, highlighting the lasting impact he continues to have both inside and outside our school.
Their dedication and teamwork shone through, and their singing was truly beautiful. It was a great success and a proud moment for everyone involved.
A huge well done to our amazing Year 4 pupils for their fantastic performance in the St Botolph`s Day Play.
The children worked incredibly hard to produce a thoughtful and engaging retelling of St Botolph’s life, highlighting the lasting impact he continues to have both inside and outside our school.
Their dedication and teamwork shone through, and their singing was truly beautiful. It was a great success and a proud moment for everyone involved.
On Thursday, we welcomed Laura from `Outdoor Studios` into our school who took us outside to explore with natural materials. We began to experiment with using paint and even cherries from our school field.
Once we had completed that, we completed an observational drawing of a leaf using charcoal and chalk. We then used the paint to create a layered effect to enhance the leaf drawing. All of these skills were then applied into creating a piece of artwork on a wooden plank that had been shaped into a house. Before we could do that, we had to sand the wooden plank down which definitely tired some of us out! We thoroughly enjoyed exploring art outside and look forward to seeing our work displayed at our Trust exhibition.
On Thursday, we welcomed Laura from `Outdoor Studios` into our school who took us outside to explore with natural materials. We began to experiment with using paint and even cherries from our school field.
Once we had completed that, we completed an observational drawing of a leaf using charcoal and chalk. We then used the paint to create a layered effect to enhance the leaf drawing. All of these skills were then applied into creating a piece of artwork on a wooden plank that had been shaped into a house. Before we could do that, we had to sand the wooden plank down which definitely tired some of us out! We thoroughly enjoyed exploring art outside and look forward to seeing our work displayed at our Trust exhibition.
Yesterday morning our young carers met to mark Carer`s Week. We completed our Imago Community transition booklets to pass to our new teacher or new school. We shared the new young carer`s story book that Imago delivered to us called Young Carer`s In Bunny Land and we coloured motivational quotes. We ended our session with a drink and a biscuit.
Yesterday morning our young carers met to mark Carer`s Week. We completed our Imago Community transition booklets to pass to our new teacher or new school. We shared the new young carer`s story book that Imago delivered to us called Young Carer`s In Bunny Land and we coloured motivational quotes. We ended our session with a drink and a biscuit.
All aboard for a journey into history! Year 3 travelled to Rochester by train today, exploring the iconic castle and discovering local heritage at the Guildhall Museum. A day full of learning, adventure, and bravery as we climbed the 215 steps to the top of the castle! The children loved the views, the history and learning about King John and his sieges making links to recent history lessons, as well as things they learnt in year 2. We have had a fantastic day.
All aboard for a journey into history! Year 3 travelled to Rochester by train today, exploring the iconic castle and discovering local heritage at the Guildhall Museum. A day full of learning, adventure, and bravery as we climbed the 215 steps to the top of the castle! The children loved the views, the history and learning about King John and his sieges making links to recent history lessons, as well as things they learnt in year 2. We have had a fantastic day.
🎨 Exciting News!
Our talented Year 5 and Year 6 pupils recently took part in inspiring workshops with a local artist, and now their incredible artwork is on display!
Come and see their creativity brought to life in the ‘Layers of Life’ exhibition:
📍 St George`s Arts Centre, Gravesend, DA11 0TA
🗓️ 3rd - 15th June
⏰ 10:00am - 5:00pm daily
Support our young artists and experience their amazing work up close!
🎨 Exciting News!
Our talented Year 5 and Year 6 pupils recently took part in inspiring workshops with a local artist, and now their incredible artwork is on display!
Come and see their creativity brought to life in the ‘Layers of Life’ exhibition:
📍 St George`s Arts Centre, Gravesend, DA11 0TA
🗓️ 3rd - 15th June
⏰ 10:00am - 5:00pm daily
Support our young artists and experience their amazing work up close!
FINAL CALL – SCITT Applications Close 30 June!
Want to start your teaching journey in September 2025?
✔️ Train in real schools from day one
✔️ Earn QTS with expert guidance
✔️ Build confidence through hands-on experience
✔️ Join a supportive, passionate community of educators
✔️ Graduate career-ready and classroom confident
Whether you`re a recent graduate or changing careers – this is your path to making a real impact 🌟
📅 Deadline: 30 June
🔗 Apply now: https://www.aletheiatrust.org.uk/school-improvement/initial-teaching-training
FINAL CALL – SCITT Applications Close 30 June!
Want to start your teaching journey in September 2025?
✔️ Train in real schools from day one
✔️ Earn QTS with expert guidance
✔️ Build confidence through hands-on experience
✔️ Join a supportive, passionate community of educators
✔️ Graduate career-ready and classroom confident
Whether you`re a recent graduate or changing careers – this is your path to making a real impact 🌟
📅 Deadline: 30 June
🔗 Apply now: https://www.aletheiatrust.org.uk/school-improvement/initial-teaching-training
At the end of Term 5, Governor Awards were handed out during the final worship. Children received certificates and badges for living by our three values of Respect, Resilience and Responsibility. All children should be proud of their achievements and a very big well done from all at St Botolph`s.
At the end of Term 5, Governor Awards were handed out during the final worship. Children received certificates and badges for living by our three values of Respect, Resilience and Responsibility. All children should be proud of their achievements and a very big well done from all at St Botolph`s.
In the last week of Term 5, Mr Dockrell, Mrs Flynn and four members of our School Council had the pleasure of listening to nine children from across Key Stage Two perform their speech for us to determine our overall school winner.
Competition was very tough! All class winners had prepared, rehearsed and spoke with confidence and real passion about their chosen topic. We had speeches ranging from Guinea Pigs to Gymnastics and Wildlife to the Eiffel Tower. We were so impressed but it made our job even more difficult to choose a winner.
A huge well done to all of our class winners for getting this far.
Following deliberation and looking at the criteria set we chose Violet (Maple class) as our overall St Botolph`s winner. Her speech on Gymnastics blew us away whilst maintaining eye contact and holding our interest during her speech. We didn`t inform Violet until our Eucharist Service on Friday and we invited Violet`s parents in as a surprise. Violet`s prize was a selection of books along with some sweets to enjoy whilst reading her favourite books.
Violet and Mrs Pollard are looking forward to joining all of the other school winners from across our Trust and heading up to the Houses of Parliament before performing once more to determine the overall Trust winner.
We`re all very proud of you Violet - what a great achievement!
In the last week of Term 5, Mr Dockrell, Mrs Flynn and four members of our School Council had the pleasure of listening to nine children from across Key Stage Two perform their speech for us to determine our overall school winner.
Competition was very tough! All class winners had prepared, rehearsed and spoke with confidence and real passion about their chosen topic. We had speeches ranging from Guinea Pigs to Gymnastics and Wildlife to the Eiffel Tower. We were so impressed but it made our job even more difficult to choose a winner.
A huge well done to all of our class winners for getting this far.
Following deliberation and looking at the criteria set we chose Violet (Maple class) as our overall St Botolph`s winner. Her speech on Gymnastics blew us away whilst maintaining eye contact and holding our interest during her speech. We didn`t inform Violet until our Eucharist Service on Friday and we invited Violet`s parents in as a surprise. Violet`s prize was a selection of books along with some sweets to enjoy whilst reading her favourite books.
Violet and Mrs Pollard are looking forward to joining all of the other school winners from across our Trust and heading up to the Houses of Parliament before performing once more to determine the overall Trust winner.
We`re all very proud of you Violet - what a great achievement!
Earlier this term, Year 2 hosted a fantastic charity day in support of Marie Curie UK, raising both awareness and much-needed funds for the invaluable work they do.
We were thrilled to welcome Laura Hill from Marie Curie to our school yesterday. It was a pleasure to present her with a cheque for an impressive £506.28 and to hear more about the incredible support Marie Curie provides to those in need. Thank you, Year 2 and the entire St Botolph`s community, for your generosity and enthusiasm in making this event such a meaningful success.
Earlier this term, Year 2 hosted a fantastic charity day in support of Marie Curie UK, raising both awareness and much-needed funds for the invaluable work they do.
We were thrilled to welcome Laura Hill from Marie Curie to our school yesterday. It was a pleasure to present her with a cheque for an impressive £506.28 and to hear more about the incredible support Marie Curie provides to those in need. Thank you, Year 2 and the entire St Botolph`s community, for your generosity and enthusiasm in making this event such a meaningful success.
All the children in the school took part in our Maths Day yesterday. Key Stage 2 began with an assembly led by Sarabjit Mann, who spoke about how she uses mathematics both in her profession and in everyday life. Following the assembly, Year 6 participated in a workshop featuring a carousel of activities exploring the role of maths in various careers.
Throughout the day, pupils engaged in a wide range of mathematical activities, including:
• Collecting data using Smarties
• Taking part in a maths-themed treasure hunt
• Estimating and measuring capacity to determine the volume of liquid in a box
• Designing structures or shapes using jelly beans
• Competing in a times table relay
Additional maths activities took place in classrooms across the school. The children were enthusiastic and thoroughly enjoyed the day.
All the children in the school took part in our Maths Day yesterday. Key Stage 2 began with an assembly led by Sarabjit Mann, who spoke about how she uses mathematics both in her profession and in everyday life. Following the assembly, Year 6 participated in a workshop featuring a carousel of activities exploring the role of maths in various careers.
Throughout the day, pupils engaged in a wide range of mathematical activities, including:
• Collecting data using Smarties
• Taking part in a maths-themed treasure hunt
• Estimating and measuring capacity to determine the volume of liquid in a box
• Designing structures or shapes using jelly beans
• Competing in a times table relay
Additional maths activities took place in classrooms across the school. The children were enthusiastic and thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Year 3 have been working on their skills in designing and researching building up to a `Big Bread Bake Off`!
They had to work as a team to create their dough, knead it and divide it. They had to pick a key ingredient (chocolate was the firm favourite) and wait for them to prove. They were baked and are ready for tasting!
Well done year 3.
Year 3 have been working on their skills in designing and researching building up to a `Big Bread Bake Off`!
They had to work as a team to create their dough, knead it and divide it. They had to pick a key ingredient (chocolate was the firm favourite) and wait for them to prove. They were baked and are ready for tasting!
Well done year 3.
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) day, St Botolph`s pupils were issued evacuee labels and relocated to a different `county` (different classroom) within the school to take part in a range of different activities and learning. All of our classes mixed and it was wonderful to see our older pupils supporting younger pupils and sharing their learning and skills.
Children enjoyed activities such as making medals, and pinwheels to decorating teapots and bunting and creating Spitfire pegs along with spending time learning about the importance of VE day before heading back to their home counties (own classes) to share their creations.
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) day, St Botolph`s pupils were issued evacuee labels and relocated to a different `county` (different classroom) within the school to take part in a range of different activities and learning. All of our classes mixed and it was wonderful to see our older pupils supporting younger pupils and sharing their learning and skills.
Children enjoyed activities such as making medals, and pinwheels to decorating teapots and bunting and creating Spitfire pegs along with spending time learning about the importance of VE day before heading back to their home counties (own classes) to share their creations.