Our relationship with Albemarle Barracks
Defence in the North East
The North East's links with the Armed Forces are very strong and its roots with the military date back to Roman times.
RAF Ouston opened in 1941 and was used by the RAF until 1975; then renamed Albemarle, it housed soldier training for the Royal Signals and then the Infantry until 1996, when 39 Regiment Royal Artillery moved into the Barracks. 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, who returned to the UK from Germany in the summer term of 2015 are now stationed at Albemarle.
Many of the families living at Albemarle have children who attend Stamfordham Primary School. At present, this group of children makes up 10% of the pupil roll, and are very well supported by our outstanding, highly skilled and experienced staff.
A school bus, provided and paid for by Northumberland County Council, will collect your child morning and afternoon.
Outstanding relationships between home and school ensure that when a parent is away from home on operations or on exercise, children are nurtured and cared for by our staff.
We have a 'wide open door' policy and extremely positive links with the CO, and Major Stokes who is 2IC @ Albemarle Barracks and a member of our Governing Body. This ensures that we are updated regularly and can be as flexible as possible, particularly for parents who are posted overseas. 'Authorised Holiday Leave' is always granted when families are reunited.
The camp Padre is a wonderful friend and supporter of our school, and regularly calls in to visit, catching up with the children and staff, and to lead whole school assemblies.
We maintain regular contact with the Unit Welfare Officer and Community Development Worker. As you can see, we have such fabulous support from all quarters, which in turn ensures our school continues to provide OUTSTANDING care, guidance and support for children, mums and dads too. It is a team effort.
The importance of the link between 'home and school' cannot be underestimated, and at Stamfordham Primary it is central to everything we do, every conversation we share, each milestone we celebrate. We very much look forward to working with you and your family. Why not come and see for yourself? You really have nothing to lose.