HORSINGTON CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL in Somerset, Templecombe

Education Centre Information: Horsington Church of England Primary School:

Establishment Type:Voluntary Controlled School
Phase of Education: Primary
Status: Open
Local Authority: Somerset
Boarders: No Boarders
Sixth Form: Does not have a sixth form
Urban/Rural Description: Village - less sparse
Special Classes: No Special Classes
Religious Character: Church of England
Diocese: Diocese of Bath and Wells
Nursery Provider: No Nursery Classes
Total Pupils: 108
Number of boys: 54
Number of girls: 54
Age Range: 4-11
Gender: Mixed
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Background:

Horsington School was opened in 1857 as a school for children upto the age of 13. Since 1958 it has been a primary school for children aged from four to 11 years. As a voluntary controlled school it was originally built, financed and administrated by the Church of England. Its attractive main building maintains its original Victorian look from the outside but inside houses teaching units, a library, an ICT suite, a hall, kitchen, toilets and a school office. In October 2001 an extension was built onto the school and provides a modern, purpose-built classroom for children in the first year at its school. At the same time a new entrance for pupils was built to link its extension to the original building. In 2002/03 its playground was extended and its hall was refurbished. The school'site has two mobile classrooms, an adventure playground, a quiet area, an environmental area, and school gardens. It has a playing field and two hard surfaced playgrounds. The school is surrounded by open farmland and has a stream, which runs through the school grounds. Its rural situation is used to best effect with much stimulating environmental work taking place. The school aims to provide not only a broad and balanced curriculum but also an enriched curriculum where the arts, music, design and technology and physical education are seen as important in educating the whole child. A wide range of lunchtime and after-school activities is run leading to the school receiving a 'School Extra Award'. The school has achieved a number of national awards: 'School Achievement Award', 'Investors in People', 'Artsmark Silver and FA Charter Standard'. In July 2004 it received an 'Artsmark Gold' from Sport England. The school is working in partnership with the national trust on a three-year arts project linking urban and rural schools through the arts. This year it has also been involved in a national gallery partnership with Bristol Art Gallery and Museum. Within its grounds it has a number of large living willow structures, which the children use at breaktimes, or they can sit in the courtyard to read or talk or use the large range of outside play equipment. The school as well as an ICT suite has interactive whiteboards in most classrooms and all computers as linked on the schools internal network. The school enjoys strong links with the village of Horsington and South Cheriton although many pupils come from further afield, it aims to play an active part in the life of the local area. The school has very close links to its local parish Church and with others in the Diocese of Bath and Wells. The school aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith, and promotes Christian values through the experience it offers to all its pupils.