Exminster Community Primary School is situated
in the centre of a friendly, thriving village
community, serving the local area but also
accommodating some pupils from further afield.

The age range is currently 4-ll years, with
provision for younger children to experience two
terms of the school environment before starting
full-time with us.

Exminster has an outstanding reputation as a highly-successful inclusive school, with a wealth of expertise among its staff, led by Headteacher
Mr. Bob Foale.

The school has grown considerably over the last 15 years, with numbers on roll rising from 80 to nearly 300, but this has been supported by thoughtful and creative building expansion.

The school has retained its ‘village school’ atmosphere and ethos, which forms a central part of its appeal.

Exminster Community Primary School celebrated its 150th Anniversary in 2006, the school having existed on or very near the present site since 1856.

Located in the heart of a thriving and friendly village community, the school is set in beautiful grounds, which include a newly-resurfaced playground, a multi-sensory garden, pond area, adventure playground and a large playing field, all enclosed by an attractive border of trees and shrubs.

Since 1991, Headteacher Mr. Bob Foale has led the school through many exciting changes, with pupil population rising from 80 to nearly 300 over that 15-year period. Most pupils live in the surrounding area, although a number travel here from further afield. Mr. Foale has overseen several building projects to cater for this increase in pupil numbers, the latest phase of building adding a large new classroom and multi-sensory room to the main body of the school.

Bob has always had a clear and compelling vision for the overall development of his school, which has inspired staff and children to work together to achieve high standards in academic work, behaviour and personal growth and to maintain high expectations:

“I am very proud of all the children who have passed through Exminster Community Primary School. All my staff, teaching and non-teaching, are committed to enabling every child to have a safe and happy time at the school, to fulfil their true potential and to ensure that all levels of ability are catered for. Our outstanding development of pupils’ social and moral education was singled out by our last OFSTED report as a great strength of the school, with caring relationships between pupils and very good relationships between pupils and staff. As a staff, we believe that ‘every child matters’ and that they will thrive best in an educational environment where excellence and enjoyment go hand in hand.”

The school has a strong, pro-active and dedicated governing body and school association, their combined influence providing excellent strategic and practical support for the school. We are also most fortunate in the level of additional voluntary help we receive from ‘book buddies’: parents and other vetted adults who read with children individually each week throughout the school.

Exminster has become renowned county-wide for its outstandingly successful approach to inclusion, which has not only enabled children with a wide spectrum of special educational needs to make remarkable progress, but has also benefited all pupils by recognising, developing and celebrating their individuality.

Detailed, sophisticated planning and regular assessment for every pupil ensure that our children have the advantage of a ‘tailormade’ education, in which parents are fully involved and informed.

Headteacher: Mr R A Foale
Deputy Headteacher : Mrs S Whalley
Assistant Headteacher: Mr S Badcott

Head of Foundation / Key Stage 1 Coordinator : Mrs J Reeves
Key Stage 2 Coordinator: Miss M Greenslade

These 5 members of staff represent our Senior Leadership Team.

All special educational needs are coordinated by:

• Mrs J Gillespie (SENco)
• Mrs T Roberts (Assistant SENco)

Our classes are described by the year group + the initial of their teacher as follows:

The Reception Unit

• RR = Mrs J Reeves
• RM = Mr I Moore

Year 1 Unit

• 1O = Mrs B Oliver
• 1M = Miss G Musson

Year 2 Unit

• 2F = Mrs Fletcher
• 2MP = Mrs B Morgan / Miss S Phillips

Year 3 Unit

• 3T = Mr C Tribble
• 3W = Mrs S Whalley / Mrs C Thackera

Year 4 Unit

• 4R = Mrs T Roberts
• 4L = Mrs S Lewis

Year 5 Unit

• 5B = Mr S Badcott /Mrs C Glover/Miss M Greenslade

Year 6 Unit

• 6OH = Miss A O’Hare
• 6EC = Mrs L Evans / Mrs S Coville

Throughout the school, the teachers are supported by a wonderful team of learning support assistants, either in a general or one-to-one capacity:

Our school is looked after by our hardworking caretaking and cleaning team:
Site Caretaker: Mr. D. Allies (Assisted by: Mrs. S. Browring, Mrs. J. Hudson)

The children’s lunchtime routine is supervised by our fantastic MTAs – mealtime assistants:

We are lucky to have a superb team of catering staff, who provide a balanced and delicious range of healthy meals for staff and pupils:

Catering Manager: Mrs. S. Goode
Catering Assistants: Mrs. C. Comer Mrs. L Phillips
Mrs. L. McVitie

Pupils are guided safely across Exminster’s main road by our Crossing Patrol (our ‘Lollipop Lady!): Mrs. C. Troy

Board of Governors

The Governing body at Exminster Community Primary School, led by Chairman Mr. Alwyn Reeves, currently comprises 15 members, made up as follows:

Chair/Co-opted Governor: Mr. Alwyn Reeves

Alwyn’s two children have both attended the school and his wife, Jenny, teaches one of the Reception classes. Alwyn became Chair after several years’ service as Curriculum Committee Chairman.

Vice-Chair/Co-opted Governor: Mr. Andy Smith

Andy’s two younger children attend the school. Andy is also the Chairman of our Sites & Buildings Committee and has played a leading role in our most recent major building extension and in the renovation of our playground.

Vice-Chair/Parent-Governor: Mrs. Penny Rowbottom

Penny also has her two younger children at the school. She is our current Chair for the Curriculum Committee and produces our Annual Report to Parents.

Vice-Chair/Co-opted Governor: Mr. Karl Pitman

Karl has two children at the school and his wife, Tracey, has recently become the Chair of our School Association. Karl is also the Chair of our Finance and General Purposes Committee.

Headteacher: Mr. Bob Foale

Bob automatically qualifies as a governor by virtue of his status as Headteacher and has served on the governing body for 15 years. Bob's son also attended the school

Teacher Representative: Mrs. Bridget Oliver

Bridget is the head of Year One and has been elected to this role on the governing body by her teaching colleagues. Bridget is a key member of the Sites and Buildings Committee and is very supportive and knowledgeable on matters of health and safety.

Non-Teaching Staff Representative: Mrs. Katie Pyne

Katie’s three children have all attended the school; Katie works as a full-time teaching assistant, chiefly involved with literacy support.

Parish Council Representative: Mrs. Ali King

Ali's two eldest children attend the school. Her husband Pete is a Parish Councillor and Ali acts as our school link, enabling school and parish policies to be co-ordinated.

LEA Link Governor: Mr. Rob Stronge

Rob is a governor of many years’ standing, chairing various committees along the way and so brings a wealth of experience to meetings. His youngest son still attends the school.

Co-opted Governor: Mr. Jon Petherick

Jon has only recently joined the governing body and has two children at the school.

Parent-governor: Mrs. Valerie Pollard

Val joined the governing body this term and has been a very supportive presence at recent Open Days at the school – she has one child at the school.

Parent-governor: Mr. Adam Drake

Adam has been very supportive in attending Parish Council meetings on our behalf, keeping the governors up-to-date with recent developments in the village. He has two children attending the school.

Parent-governor: Mrs. Sarah Denton

Sarah is also a very dedicated ‘Book Buddy’ for the Reception classes and has two children still at the school.

Associate Member: Mrs. Hayley Noon

Hayley held the post of Non-teaching Representative prior to becoming an Associate member. She was heavily involved in vital fund-raising for our Multi-sensory room a couple of years ago and is a valued source of expertise on the governing body with matters related to special educational needs.

Associate Member: Mrs. Lydia Vanstone

Lydia is also a long-standing member of the governing body and brings years of Early Years’ educational experience to her role as an Associate Member, having worked here chiefly in the Foundation Stage as an assistant, preceded by several years of employment as a Pre-School Playleader at Exminster Pre-School.

Community Governor: Mr. James Brookes

James has been a governor since January, 2007.  He has lived in the village for seven years and has two daughters, one of whom already attends the school, while the other is due to start in September, 2007.  James is a director of a local firm of architects and has a great deal of experience in educational designs.

Clerk to the Governors: Mrs. Leonie Welch

Leonie has recently become our Clerk, taking minutes at all the main meetings during the term, maintaining our records and acting as a liaison point for all the governors. Leonie is also employed here as an Assistant Administrator and has two children at the school.