Welcome to William Gilbert School from our headteacher Mrs Helen Britten

William Gilbert Endowed C of E Primary School and Nursery is a very special place to learn, grow and achieve.

We want our children to become creative, independent, and confident young people able to forge their own future and have a positive influence on the wider world.

We hope that our website will give you a taste of the life and learning at our school; an exceptional school in which Christian values and ethos permeate and underpin all that we are and do. William Gilbert School is proud to be a Church of England Primary School and part of the Derby Diocese Multi Academy Trust.

We are a thriving community of over 240 children, aged between 4 and 11, plus a 26 place Nursery. The normal catchment area is the Ecclesiastical area which covers mainly the village of Duffield, but pupils are welcome from outside the area if a place is available.

Our vision for excellence at William Gilbert Primary School is a safe and healthy learning environment where everyone is happy, motivated, challenged and with a thirst for learning.  We aim to equip young learners with the confidence, skills, attitudes, and qualities to thrive within a Christian setting as encapsulated in John 10:10, “I have come in order that you might have life – life in all its fullness.”

Staff, supported by governors, work hard to deliver a rich and challenging curriculum; to prepare children for their future education and to help them acquire the skills and enthusiasm needed to pursue learning for the rest of their lives.

Our Christian values ensure that our children have a sound understanding of the respect and kindness needed to get along with everyone in and around our community.  We take our responsibility to promote community cohesion seriously and foster a respect for diversity and individual rights. We provide opportunities for pupils to explore their own culture and have a clear understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that shape modern Britain.

Close partnership between home and school is a recipe for a child’s success and this website is just one link in this important relationship. Our strong supportive culture is due to the real sense of partnership between home and school.

From their very first school experience, our children benefit from a highly dedicated team of teachers, support staff and governors who strive tirelessly to provide a caring and supportive environment which enables all our pupils to flourish. I am extremely proud to lead a team committed to achieving high standards and providing the very best opportunities for the children in our care. We very much believe that happy learners make successful learners. Every child is special, and we celebrate their unique strengths and abilities.

Latest News

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Newsletter 
March 27th, 2024

Newsletter 

We are delighted to share how well the school community engaged with the national Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel event. Year 2 was the class with the most active journeys over the two-week period. They were delighted with their prize of extra golden time last Friday on day 10. Lovely to see so many of you travelling actively to school. Keep up the great work.  Mrs Britten 
March 26th, 2024

We are delighted to share how well the school community engaged with the national Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel event. Year 2 was the class with the most active journeys over the two-week period. They were delighted with their prize of extra golden time last Friday on day 10. Lovely to see so many of you travelling actively to school. Keep up the great work.  Mrs Britten 

Year 1 & 2 Trip to Weston Park Museum - Tuesday 26th March *Children to be in school no later than 8.30am *All children will need a packed lunch (no fizzy drinks, chocolate or nuts, including products that may contain nuts please - this is very important as we have a child on the trip with a nut allergy) *The coach will leave Sheffield at 2:30pm and aim to arrive back at school for 4:00pm.  However this is no guarantee due to potential traffic delays so we will keep you informed as to our arrival time, should it change, through the Weduc Newsfeed
March 25th, 2024

Year 1 & 2 Trip to Weston Park Museum - Tuesday 26th March *Children to be in school no later than 8.30am *All children will need a packed lunch (no fizzy drinks, chocolate or nuts, including products that may contain nuts please - this is very important as we have a child on the trip with a nut allergy) *The coach will leave Sheffield at 2:30pm and aim to arrive back at school for 4:00pm.  However this is no guarantee due to potential traffic delays so we will keep you informed as to our arrival time, should it change, through the Weduc Newsfeed

REMINDER - Magna Trip - Monday 18th March * Children to wear school uniform, including school shoes *Please provide your child with a packed lunch (no fizzy drinks,  chocolate or nuts, including products that may contain nuts) *The children will be leaving school at 9.00am and will arrive back approximately 3.15pm.    Please note - Mrs Owen's afterschool Healthy Cookery club will go ahead as normal on return from the trip.

March 15th, 2024

REMINDER - Magna Trip - Monday 18th March * Children to wear school uniform, including school shoes *Please provide your child with a packed lunch (no fizzy drinks,  chocolate or nuts, including products that may contain nuts) *The children will be leaving school at 9.00am and will arrive back approximately 3.15pm.    Please note - Mrs Owen's afterschool Healthy Cookery club will go ahead as normal on return from the trip.

Lunchtime fun, including Red Nose buns made by Mrs Peake, enjoyed by the children, and staff!



March 15th, 2024

Lunchtime fun, including Red Nose buns made by Mrs Peake, enjoyed by the children, and staff!

A very successful week 1!  Thank you to all those who have chosen to support this important initiative.  What can we achieve in week 2?
March 15th, 2024

A very successful week 1!  Thank you to all those who have chosen to support this important initiative.  What can we achieve in week 2?

PTA Fundraiser - Willy Gilly Bar – Find a golden ticket to win Click on the link below to buy a chocolate bar and find the golden ticket to win a prize!!  You can buy more than one bar if you want to.  Xbox Series X worth £249 Other prizes include:- Smyths Voucher, Build a Bear Voucher, Goat walking experience, child yoga pass, goodfolk sweet treat voucher, smiggle voucher, astronaut projector and more!! 
March 13th, 2024

PTA Fundraiser - Willy Gilly Bar – Find a golden ticket to win Click on the link below to buy a chocolate bar and find the golden ticket to win a prize!!  You can buy more than one bar if you want to.  Xbox Series X worth £249 Other prizes include:- Smyths Voucher, Build a Bear Voucher, Goat walking experience, child yoga pass, goodfolk sweet treat voucher, smiggle voucher, astronaut projector and more!! 

The Big Plastic Count - 11th - 17th March 2024 Following on from this mornings email, we are pleased to confirm this information has also been shared with your children today.  Let's Count Tally sheets are coming home tonight with your child, please check book bags! Thank you for your continued support. Mrs Reed


March 7th, 2024

The Big Plastic Count - 11th - 17th March 2024 Following on from this mornings email, we are pleased to confirm this information has also been shared with your children today.  Let's Count Tally sheets are coming home tonight with your child, please check book bags! Thank you for your continued support. Mrs Reed

REMINDER - Book Swap - Friday 8th March Following on from Mrs Britten's letter last week, lots of children have expressed they would still like to take part in the book swap, therefore we will still be accepting books tomorrow morning.   Once we have gathered the books together and sorted them into appropriate categories,  the pupils will have the opportunity during the day to look at the donations and take a pre-loved book in exchange for their counter.   

March 7th, 2024

REMINDER - Book Swap - Friday 8th March Following on from Mrs Britten's letter last week, lots of children have expressed they would still like to take part in the book swap, therefore we will still be accepting books tomorrow morning.   Once we have gathered the books together and sorted them into appropriate categories,  the pupils will have the opportunity during the day to look at the donations and take a pre-loved book in exchange for their counter.   

We are thrilled to share this fantastic update. After only a week we have raised over 50% of the amount needed. A massive thank you to all those that have donated to this worthy cause. It would be amazing if we could reach the goal of £1000 by the time we break for Easter. Kind regards Mrs Britten


March 7th, 2024

We are thrilled to share this fantastic update. After only a week we have raised over 50% of the amount needed. A massive thank you to all those that have donated to this worthy cause. It would be amazing if we could reach the goal of £1000 by the time we break for Easter. Kind regards Mrs Britten

Latest events

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ARTIST OF THE MONTH MARCH 2024 


Entries can be put into the basket next to the art cabinet next to the staff room or email it to enquiries@williamgilbertend.derbyshire.sch.uk with the title 'Artist of the Month'. 
Please enter by Thursday 28th March 2024. 
This month's artist is: Frida Kahlo (1907 – 1954)
 

Artist of the Month - Last day to enter

March 28th, 2024

Easter Service, 2.00pm, St Alkmunds Church.

Pupils walk to Church and go home from Church at 3.00pm the whole school, Reception to Year 6, will be attending St Alkmunds Church on Thursday 28th March.

The service will finish at approximately 3.00 p.m. and all children should be clear about their going home arrangements directly from church.

See latest Newsletter

Easter Service - St Alkmunds Church

March 28th, 2024

School closes for Easter

School Closes for Easter

March 28th, 2024

School reopens to pupils

School reopens to pupils

April 15th, 2024

Year 1’s Forest School sessions will run on Thursday mornings

Please ensure your child arrives at school timely, so that we can check clothing, footwear and kit before a prompt departure.

SEE ATTACHED LETTER

Y1 Forest School

April 18th, 2024

Reception Class trip to Chatsworth.

Please see attached letter for information. 

Reception - Chatsworth

April 24th, 2024

Year 1’s Forest School sessions will run on Thursday mornings

Please ensure your child arrives at school timely, so that we can check clothing, footwear and kit before a prompt departure.

SEE ATTACHED LETTER

Y1 Forest School

April 25th, 2024

LAST SESSION

Year 1’s Forest School sessions will run on Thursday mornings

Please ensure your child arrives at school timely, so that we can check clothing, footwear and kit before a prompt departure.

SEE ATTACHED LETTER

Y1 Forest School (Last Session)

May 2nd, 2024

School closed to pupils 

May Day Bank Holiday

May 6th, 2024

Year 6 SATs week 

Government Standardised Assessments for Year 6

May 13th, 2024