Key Information

Balshaw Lane is an Infant and Junior School, catering for up to 280 children between the ages of four and eleven years. In accordance with the present Lancashire Education Authority Policy, children are normally admitted at the beginning of the school year (September 1st – August 31st) during which their fifth birthday falls.

The school was opened in 1976 and is situated on a pleasant open site with playing fields and two playgrounds. A fenced environmental area consisting of ponds and woodland is situated within the grounds, providing a haven for wildlife. This has been enhanced with a wildflower garden with pathways and areas of planting to enhance and support local wildlife. We have a large, timber gazebo and a canopy over our early years play area to enable the children to learn outside whenever possible.

An excellent library, which also includes a pre-school library, is located in the main building. The junior area has large enclosed classrooms and a well equipped technology resource area. There is an administrative area, a kitchen where school meals are prepared daily, and a hall that is used for assemblies, physical activities and dining. The school was extended in 2005 further improving the accommodation for our upper junior children. Infants have a spacious team teaching area as well as separate indoor and outdoor play areas to allow them opportunity to interact, communicate and experiment within a relaxed environment. The school is well appointed and decorated and well resourced. Importance is placed on maintaining a pleasant and stimulating environment. This is reflected in the quality of the children’s work attractively displayed throughout the school

The maximum number of children admitted per year may be up to 40 for each age group, so it is not always possible to have one class for each age group. The exact arrangements may vary slightly from year to year depending on the numbers. Children are allocated to classes by age not ability.

Each member of staff is responsible for a class and is also a specialist in one or more particular areas of the curriculum, advising or assisting colleagues when necessary, taking responsibility for monitoring continuity throughout the school, and ordering resources for their subject area.

All staff voluntarily undertake additional duties in their own time, such as coaching school teams, organising clubs and running the school bookshop.

Come and visit us - you will always be made welcome!