Our school is in the village of Culmstock on the northern side of the River Culm valley. The village is sited in a conservation area on the ege of the Blackdown Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty, in Devon and close to the Somerset border.
The school's main block was built in 1879 and has three classrooms. The school house was added later and there is an additional classroom building. In 1992 and in 1996, the school house and main block were refurbished and internal modifications providing a library, staff room, office accommodation and purpose built practical areas.
The building offers a flexible and quality learning environment, with accommodation for small group work, practical activities, music and work in information technology alongside traditional classroom space.
Three hard court areas provide ample play space for the children, with the younger age range having a designated quiet area although we are happy if the older children choose to play with them. We recently completed a Millennium Garden which comprises a grassed playing area and an environmental garden with a pond.
The school has a large playing field that is within a short walking distance of the main school site. Daily use is made of the Village Hall which is adjacent to the school. This is used for assemblies, physical education, drama and lunch time arrangements.
The school serves the village of Culmstock and the surrounding villages and rural area. These include Nicholashayne, Woodgate, Maidendown, Prescott and Sheldon. In addition, several children travel to Culmstock from outside the designated catchment area.
Culmstock is a Devon County Council school and is part of the Local Education Authority (LEA).
The school office is normally manned from 9.00am to 3:45pm Monday to Friday.
Aims of the School
At Culmstock School we do everything we can to provide a safe, happy, caring and well ordered environment in which learning can take place. We want each child to feel valued as an individual and as part of the community of the school.
To this end we aim:
- to provide a variety of situations where a child is able to develop the personal and social skills of
- independence
- curiosity
- self-confidence
- toleself-respectrance
- co-operation
- to provide an environment where each child feels secure and is valued as an individual
- to ensure our school is a place where children are given every opportunity to explore and develop their interests, abilities and personalities
- to provide learning contexts where children are challenged and are able to produce their best within and beyond the requirements of the National Curriculum
- to inspire children towards excellence within a variety of experiences
- to work in partnership with the local community
- to encourage each child to respect the religious, spiritual and moral values of others whilst considering their own attitudes, values and beliefs
- to foster an individual and shared responsibility for our heritage and environment and to encourage a sense of care and stewardship for all forms of life
- to provide opportunities where children are encouraged to experience the feelings of awe and wonder
- to encourage children to consider the needs of others
Teaching and learning is our school's purpose. We seek to establish a positive and challenging environment in which to do it. |