Welcome to the Parracombe C of E Primary School section of the West Exmoor Federation website.
The school is situated on the edge of the village. It is set in a rural environment, surrounded by trees, fields and a small number of houses. Earliest records of the school date back to 1830. Since that time the building has been subject to many improvements. In 1987 the school was upgraded. The Infant classroom was enlarged and an extension housing indoor toilet facilities was added. In 1996, a new office and staffroom block was built, a resources area created and the whole of the interior redecorated. In subsequent years, a new Junior classroom and an outside Foundation Play Area were added to the school and over the summer of 2009 the whole school underwent a major refurbishment and redecoration inside and out.
The main building
The main building consists of an Infant classroom for children between the ages of 4 and 7, a small hall, computer suite/library area, office and staffroom. The Junior class is housed in a separate building within the school grounds and accommodates children between the ages of 7 and 11. The total number on roll varies between 30 and 40.
Within the school grounds, we have an Infant area which consists of a covered Foundation Stage play area with sand and water trays and picnic table, wooden playhouse, a small green house, planting beds, toy car area and a grass mound. The whole of which is secured with lockable gates and provides a safe environment in which young children can take part in play activities. The Infant playground also accommodates the kiln shed. There is also a Junior playground which has a PE shed, covered sandpit, picnic table, planters, basketball hoop, a ball board and games marked on the surface. A small ‘eco garden’ with planting beds and a proposed pond is situated behind the new Junior classroom and from January 2010 the school will have a further area of garden/playing field in the form of a piece of land which lies next to the current garden and which will provide a lovely new resource for the children.
Junior classroom
In addition to our own small hall, we have the use of the village hall, 150 metres away, for PE and indoor games, a village field, a flat tarmac surfaced all sport play area and a well constructed adventure playground for Outdoor Games and activities. In 2009 we were delighted to be awarded an Artsmark silver award recognising our commitment to the arts throughout the curriculum and in our extra-curricular activities. It was our first time applying for the award and we definitely have our hopes set on gold for the future.
Our aims/ethos
Our primary aim is to create a happy atmosphere in the school, a pleasant and caring environment within which children can develop to the fullest, their academic ability, physical skills, aesthetic qualities and social awareness. In a small school, such as ours, children develop self confidence and begin to develop a sense of their own worth. They also have opportunities to develop many important social qualities such as; mutual respect, co-operation, tolerance, compassion, stewardship and care for others.
We consider that the development of these social qualities, the learning and application of skills and the development of concepts is equally as important as pursuing academic prowess.
We value the children as individuals. Every effort is made to ensure that the educational and pastoral needs of every child are met and that they are happy and contented in school.
We believe in the value of creating and maintaining effective home/school links and encouraging a dialogue between parents and staff. We view the education of children as a 'partnership' with parents and teachers working together to develop and nurture the 'whole' child. We place great emphasis on developing links with the community both locally and on a wider scale. We take opportunities to work co-operatively with other schools in the Academic Council area and maintain good liaison with Ilfracombe College.
We are a Church School and as such we endeavour to preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles and practice of the Church of England and in partnership with the Church in the parish and the Diocese. We aim to serve our community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. We encourage an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith and promote Christian values through the experience we offer to all our pupils.
We are proud of our school. We believe that it is a community within which children encounter a 'quality' learning experience and which recognises the importance of individual effort and achievement. Our children are caring and well behaved and understand the need to work hard in order to achieve their best.
We are also proud to be a member of the West Exmoor Federation and enjoy the benefits afforded through working with Lynton VA primary and Kentisbury Primary Schools.