About the Federation
The Colliers Vale Federation was formed in November 2011 as a partnership between two primary schools in the Dover district. Although the schools are 14 miles apart they have very strong links and work together closely.
Aylesham Primary School currently has 216 pupils on roll. The school is part of the Priority Schools Building Project with plans to construct a new building with the capacity for 420 pupils on the site.
The school has a large site with plenty of dedicated spaces for subjects such as art and music.
There is a satellite provision for the Aspen Unit in the school.
Vale View Primary and Nursery School currently has 207 pupils in the main school and 28 in the Nursery. The site for the school is compact but the limited space is used creatively.
More information can be found about both schools on our website.
The Federation is part of the Samphire Learning Hub, a group of 9 schools who work closely together. There are opportunities for children from the schools to meet such as sports events, regular meetings for staff to share good practice and learn from each other, and the Headteachers and Governors meet regularly. This is a strong and supportive group.
Please read Vale View's latest Ofsted report.
Please read Aylesham Primary's latest Ofsted report.
Here is what Abigail Birch, the current Executive Headteacher, has to say about working with our schools:
'Being the Executive Headteacher of two such special school communities has been an honour. My experience since 2008 has meant that I am now able to take up a position within Her Majesty's Inspectorate due to the opportunities and challenges that have arisen as part of my current role.
It is true to say that the last seven years have been unforgettable. The decision to apply for the headship at Aylesham Primary School and later to become Executive Headteacher of both Aylesham Primary School and Vale View Primary and Nursery School are perhaps the best decisions I have made.
The staff at both schools are forward thinking, innovative and incredibly hard-working and as a result outcomes for pupils have improved dramatically. The positivity of staff and willingness to give more than expected is a key feature of the Federation. The Federation has been highly successful. The staff communicate effectively to bring about improvement. The benefits of being part of a Federation have been countless. The schools are exciting places to be, each maintaining its uniqueness and being quite different in characteristics. Because of this they complement each other, are mutually benefitting one another and staff collaborate extremely well.
It is been wonderful to watch the pupils transform in terms of confidence, resilience, and independence, and in all those important ways that will support them throughout their lives. They have been at the heart of every decision we have made and the reason that staff give everything they have. The pupils need a leader with high ambitions for them; a person who has aspirations for them as individuals and to build strong relationships with them.
The leadership, including governors are skilful, lead by example and know the schools in great depth. They have been an inspiration and pleasure to work alongside.
Both schools are still on a journey and the focus will always need to be relentless. The ethos and values of the schools make this possible. What a wonderful journey it has been so far!'