About Churchstanton Primary School
Please follow the links below to find out about the School's roots, it's current status and hopes for the future.
Aims
With this in mind, we aim to:-
Children
- provide a safe, happy, caring and well ordered environment in which learning can take place and where each child is valued as an individual
- help pupils develop lively, enquiring minds with the ability to question and discuss rationally, whilst appreciating others’ right to have a different point of view and to be prepared to modify their own views if necessary, with good grace
- prepare each child for their life beyond school, by encouraging amongst other things - independence, co-operation, perseverance, responsibility, respect, originality, constructive self-criticism and a willingness to participate
- ensure that pupils acquire knowledge and skills that are also relevant to adult life and future employment · help foster a sense of pride in the work that each child produces, by encouraging pupils to attain the highest standards in everything they do
- help children learn the skills necessary to evaluate their own work
- instill respect for religious and moral values together with tolerance of other races, religions and ways of life
- help children to understand and care for other people
- help children to develop skills to form ‘good relationships’ in school life and in the outside world
Parents
- foster a real sense of partnership in the education of our children by creating informed links between school, parents and children
- ensure that our partnership is based on honesty, trust and mutual respect
- be welcoming, helpful and informative at all times
- actively involve parents in the life of the school
Staff
- support, challenge and develop every member of staff, thereby enabling them to give their very best to, and gain the very best from, the children in their care.
Governors
- promote equality of opportunity in respect of all staff and students
- maintain quality of pastoral care for students throughout the school and to encourage parents' involvement in their child's progress and in the school in general.
- support the Head and staff in the monitoring of achievement with the aim that each child should generally make continuous improvement.
History
Churchstanton Primary School was first established in 1850 when a small schoolroom was built in the grounds of Churchstanton Parish Church. The school moved to its present site in 1878, which is located at Cox Hill, 10 miles south west of the county town of Taunton and 1¾ miles west of Churchinford village, in the parish of Churchstanton.
Surrounded by farmland and woods, we are situated within the Blackdown Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty.
With over 150 years of history, Churchstanton Primary is now a County funded school and is not affiliated with any religious body.
The school site consists of the old school house, which has been converted into a library, resources room and kitchen downstairs, together with offices and a staff room upstairs. An extension to the original building houses our school hall and dining room. The classrooms are housed within 3 prefabricated units, each with independent cloakroom facilities.
Visitors often remark on the beauty of the site – with the school grounds extending to around 2 acres and offering the children a choice of 3 playgrounds, a fenced area of forest, grassy areas and an outdoor swimming pool for use in the warmer months. We also have a school pond and wildlife area.
Philosophy & Ethos
Children learn at different rates and have different abilities.
At Churchstanton Primary, we believe that we have a happy school atmosphere in which each pupil can develop and make best use of his or her talents and qualities.
As a small village school, each child is an individual who is well known to the teachers, so it is impossible for any child to be “overlooked”. Each child’s efforts are valued by both staff and other children and we aim to ensure that every child is genuinely able to contribute in some way. Development of self-esteem is crucial, but it has to be based on true achievement rather than false praise.
We strongly believe that happy and confident children learn more effectively and get the most from their education. Our genuinely caring ethos is reflected both in the dedication of our staff and in the concern shown by pupils towards each other.
OFSTED and Performance Data
Link to OFSTED website which provides the details of our inspections.
Summary: Churchstanton School was last inspected in February 2008 and was judged to be good with some outstanding features. An interim assesment in January 2011 found that 'performance has been sustained'.
Link to Department for Education to see results.
2011 Results
English: Level 4 - 100%, Level 5 - 25%
Maths: Level 4 - 100%, Level 5 - 69%
Value added (measure of progress from KS1- KS2) for both Maths and English is 101.1 which puts us in the top 15% nationally.
Value added for Maths is 101.6 which puts us in the top 9% schools nationally.
“Two schools in Taunton achieved a 100% success rate of year 6 pupils attaining the expected level in both English and maths.The latest primary school league tables in England reveal that year 6 pupils at Churchstanton Primary and Trull Primary schools both achieved at least level 4 grades. “
Somerset County Gazette 21st December 2011
Link to BBC Website - understanding the measures.
Staff
Please select a link below
Simon Mills - Headteacher
Churchstanton is an incredible school - very few schools can beat its location, community involvement and fantastic children! I am both very proud and fortunate to be Head Teacher of such an establishment. And more importantly I am enjoying every minute of it! Previously I have gained experience as Deputy Headteacher in Sherborne, taught in an EAZ in Inner London and began my teaching career in Leicester.
I teach Class 3 on Thursdays and Fridays.
Areas of Responsibility
- Curriculum
- Science
- ICT
- SEN
- Equal Opportunities
- Child Protection Officer
- Recording and Assessment
Teachers
Karina Holt - Class One Teacher
Areas of Responsibility
- Early Years / Key Stage 1
- Geography
- History
- Home/School Links
- Pre-school Liaison
Pam Kinnear - Class Two & Senior Teacher
I have been teaching at the school for a number of years. My main subjects are English and PE, but I teach most subjects to Yr3 and Yr4. The school is in a beautiful setting and we try to enhance the environment when teaching the curriculum. The atmosphere between the staff and parents is friendly and welcoming and I always enjoy the challenges that each day brings.
Areas of Responsibility
- English/Library
- PE
- Health/Personal & Social Education (PSE)
- Citizenship
- Music
Philip Hyland - Class Three Teacher (Mon to Wed)
Picture coming soon!
Areas of Responsibility
- RE
- Mathematics
- Art and Design
- Design & Technology
- Community Cohesion
Teaching Assistants
Gill Mitchell
I enjoy the opportunity to work as an LSA supporting children's learning in this unique school, with a great family atmosphere. I previously worked as a teacher in Leicester.
Helen Molton
This is now my 4th year working at this unique primary school. I have worked with a few children as their LSA and also teach the piano to several pupils.
June Richards
I have been working here for about 4 years - time goes so fast. I have worked with various children throughout the school. I now work with KS1 children as a classroom assistant.
Maggie Powell
I love working here as a LSA with children in each of the classes and have been here for approx. 15 years. My three children now 20, 19 + 15 came here and reaped the benefits of this wonderful school.
Mandy Winslade
I have been working here at Churchstanton Primary School for 3 years and enjoy it very much.
Sarah Samson
Sarah has been involved with the school for a number of years and has made music a major part of the curriculum. The annual music concert has now become a highly regarded event in the school’s calendar.
Tara Adams
I have worked at Churchstanton School for 6 1/2 fun filled years.
Support Staff
Debbie Frost
I joined the staff at Churchstanton School in November 2001. My role as Secretary / Financial Assistant involves helping to administer the school's budget along with the day to day running of the office. I am also the Clerk to the Governing Body. Two of my children have attended the school and have benefited from its warm atmosphere and wonderful environment.
Areas of Responsibility
- School Finance Officer
Julie Betteridge
I have had the privilege of working here for 13 years in a variety of roles throughout the school. I enjoy outdoor activities, sports, and supporting children throughout their school life with us.
Areas of Responsibility
- School Administrator
Forest School
“This is the best kind of classroom,
It’s a journey through time and space,
From the smallest seed to the largest tree,
This is a Forest and a learning place.
This is the best kind of classroom,
Where the seasons don’t happen in books.
Where the learning is watching and thinking and talking
And everyone notices, everyone looks.”
From 'The best Kind of Classroom' by Ian MacMillan
What is Forest School?
Forest School has developed from the Scandinavian education system and is about children and young people building self esteem and independence through exploring and experiencing the natural world. Forest Schools is a long term programme delivered by trained practitioners within a natural environment (not necessarily a Forest!).Each Forest School programme is tailored to meet the needs of individuals within that group and is continuously developed as the children/young people grow in confidence, skills and understanding.
The ethos of Forest Schools allows learners the time and space to develop skills, interests and understanding through practical, hands-on experiences. It also allows practitioners to step back and observe the children/young people in order to then encourage and inspire individuals to achieve through careful scaffolding and facilitating.
Where will my child be going?
Every Forest School is different, some are within school or nursery grounds and some are in woodland areas in nature reserves or private estates. Some have ponds; some have meadows; some have dense shrubs and others are more open. All sites have some natural features (some may import natural materials such as sticks, logs, leaves and seeds) and all sites are safe; they are thoroughly risk assessed and managed appropriately by trained practitioners.
"Forest School is an inspirational process that offers children and young people opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self esteem, through hands on learning experiences in a local woodland environment."
National definition: by Forest School (England) Network
What will my child be doing?
The Forest School routine varies depending on the site, however it may include; preparing to go out by dressing in outdoor clothes such as waterproofs; travelling to the site; singing special songs and sharing stories. Forest Schools will run all year round and in all weathers (unless weather conditions are dangerous). The child led ethos of Forest Schools means that once at the site the children can choose what to participate in, carefully supported and encouraged by trained adults. Possible activities may include:
- Natural crafts – making necklaces from elder, crowns or dreamcatchers from willow, collages from natural materials, weaving with long grasses, tree cookies, etc
- Mud sculptures
- Shelter building and knot tying
- Tree climbing
- Using tools for a purpose – such as peeling bark from sticks with potato peelers to make toasting forks.
- Fire building and cooking on a camp fire
- Hunting for minibeasts and/or pond dipping
Sessions are planned around the individual’s and group’s needs, and built upon each week. All Forest School Leaders are qualified through nationally recognised and accredited training, therefore ensuring Forest Schools is a high quality learning experience. The earlier sessions will concentrate on safety; establishing boundaries and routines. As the children develop in confidence and familiarity with the environment the sessions focus on the development and consolidation of skills and understanding.
What benefits will my child get from participating in Forest Schools?
Forest Schools supports the holistic development of the child:
- Health and fitness – Being active in an outdoor, natural environment.
- Increased emotional wellbeing – There is research available supporting this.
- Social development – Communicating, and negotiating with peers and adults to solve problems and share experiences.
- Skills development – Developing fine and gross motor skills and coordination for real purposes.
- Gaining knowledge and understanding – Multi–sensory, real-life learning.
- Individualised learning – Careful observation allows adults to tailor support to children’s own interests and stage of development.
- Curriculum Links – Forest Schools supports many areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, National Curriculum and the Every Child Matters agenda.
Health and Safety
The health and safety of all participants is central to everything done within a Forest Schools programme. Forest School leaders are fully trained in risk assessment and emergency outdoor first aid. Every Forest School will have; a Health and Safety policy; a seasonally and daily risk assessed site; risk assessments for activities; trained adult helpers; first aid and emergency equipment. Some of the activities the children may participate in are ‘higher-risk activities’ (such as campfire cooking or tool use). However, these activities are not available to the children until certain behaviours and boundaries are established. Children are encouraged and supported in recognising and managing risk for themselves, through real life situations and experiences.
Taunton Learning Partnership
Churchstanton School is a member of the Taunton Learning Partnership or the TLP for short. This is a collaborative learning partnership between 33 schools, primary and secondary, in the Taunton area.
The TLP exists in order to:
- Increase the quality and range of children’s learning opportunities.
- Provide enhanced targeted staff development matched to individual and shared objectives.
- Continue to develop leadership working collaboratively.
- Involve the wider community.
- Encourage schools to work together.
- Enable all children to recognise and develop a sense of community in Taunton and beyond.
- Review and evaluate the work of the Taunton Learning Partnership.
Times of School Sessions
Children should arrive between 8.40 and 8.50am
School begins : 8.50am
Session 1 : 8.50 – 10.40am
Assembly : 10.40 – 10.55am
Playtime : 10.55 – 11.15am
Session 2 : 11.15 – 12.00pm (KS1) or 11.15 – 12.15pm (KS2)
Lunch : 12.00 – 1.15pm (KS1) or 12.15 – 1.15pm (KS2)
Session 3 : 1.15 – 3.15pm
School ends : 3.15pm
(NB KS1 have an afternoon playtime from 2.30 – 2.45pm)