School History
The Area
Poringland is a rapidly growing village, situated five miles south-east of the City of Norwich. Generally, it is a modern village, with most houses dating from the 1960s onwards, but it retains several thatched cottages. A Tudor timber-framed house stands close to the parish church, which is a very bright building with lovely old stained glass and a fine hammer-beam roof. The round tower was built onto the Norman base in the early 13th century.
Poringland is one of the highest points in Norfolk – only parts of Cromer are higher. As such, it was selected as a site for the development of early radar and two of the original masts still stand, although now they are used for radio telephony services. The land is a poor mixture of sand and gravel (thus Poor …. Land). At the outbreak of the Second World War, Poringland was a village of no more than 500 people, living in scattered cottages along The Street. In the late 1950s, the proximity to Norwich and the poor nature of the soil meant that the area was attractive for building development. The village started to grow! Growth has continued to this day and several new estates are currently under development.
The painting of the Poringland Oak, by John Crome, the Norfolk School artist, made the village famous. The exact location of the tree is somewhat uncertain! The picture currently hangs in the National Gallery in London. The school badge keeps the link with John Crome’s painting by incorporating oak leaves into its design.
Adjoining Poringland are the villages of Framingham Earl and Framingham Pigot. The parish church of St. Andrew at Framingham Earl shows evidence of both Saxon and Norman architecture. The north window of the nave contains some fine 15th century stained glass.
The distinction between Poringland and Framingham Earl is important to local people. Together, the two villages provide an increasing number of shops, businesses and facilities.
The School
The present Poringland Primary School and Nursery was opened in 1967 and had been intended as a First School. It was used from the outset as a primary.
From a high of 460 in 1967, the number on roll declined to around 210 in 1982. Since then numbers have risen, with a very rapid increase in recent years. Today we have approximately 440 pupils on roll.
The school is attractively situated. It has a large playing field which is surrounded by woodland. We have recently completed our ‘Woodland Wonderland’ play area within the natural environment of the trees. There are separate playgrounds for Infants and Juniors. There is an enclosed wildlife area with a pond. The Nursery has a unique covered outside play area, called ‘The Ark,’ which was constructed in 2017.
The school building is light and colourful; three new classrooms were added to the site in 2015, and two further classrooms were completed in 2018. There is a large hall for assemblies and PE, and we have a well-stocked school library, as well as a music pavilion. The former caretaker’s bungalow houses our Breakfast Club, and also provides space for small group work and cookery.
The school prides itself on having effective and productive links with the local community and other schools in the neighbourhood. The school is well supported by parents. There is a strong PTA, which has raised significant sums of money to support the school.
Parents, staff and pupils are regularly consulted via questionnaires. There is a strongly supportive Governing Body.
The school has a dedicated, highly professional team of staff, who work together to promote its aims and values.