WELCOME TO OUR SCHOOL!

The school was built in 1895 but has been extensively modernised, two new classrooms being added in 1964. In 1995 we celebrated the centenary of the laying of the foundation stone and in January 1996 the centenary of the opening of the school. To mark the occasion the governors arranged for a gallery to be built at one end of our large hall, giving us much needed library space, plus the complete re-building of the school swimming pool.

Our numbers vary from year to year from approximately 60 to 85 children. The school is organised into three classes with an overlap of age ranges in each class. We try to keep the reception class as small as possible and our teaching assistants spend much time with these younger children who are obviously more demanding in teacher time. Children move from one class to another at the discretion of the teachers and at 9+ they move on to either Wareham Middle, Swanage Middle or Sandford Middle schools. Much of the teaching is individual although group work and class teaching takes place. For example at Corfe Castle we benefit from having a specialist D.T. teacher who takes all the classes at different levels and abilities.

• At Corfe Castle C. of E. VC First school we want to help pupils become successful learners and, through the Christian ethos of the school, to develop a caring attitude towards one another and to their environment.
• To teach the National Curriculum with priority being given to the core subjects, English, Mathematics and Science, ICT and Religious Education.
• To support parents and involve them in the learning process.
• For the school to be part of the local community.
• At Corfe Castle we aim to give every child equal opportunities to do their best irrespective of race, or gender.
• We seek to equip our children for life in a multicultural society, recognising their own religious values and beliefs and respecting those of others.

In order to justify the curriculum courses that are offered in schools a statement about the aims of education is needed. We firstly try to enlarge a child’s knowledge, experience and understanding both factually and imaginatively and thus his/her awareness of moral and spiritual values and capacity for enjoyment. We also hope to enable him/her to enter the world, after formal education is over, as an active participant in society. To achieve this we need to equip each child with skills, values and beliefs, and the ability to appreciate the skills, values and beliefs of others.

In order to achieve these aims, the early years in school will involve the skills of reading, writing and ability to speak clearly and logically, coupled with the world of mathematics developing from practical activities and through scientific experimentation and discovery.

Some project work is initially stimulated through art, music, visits/visitors and design work whilst other projects lead to attractive displays of work, including writing, painting and craft work made by the children. There is of course, equal opportunity for all, none of the teaching is gender biased. So, for example, girls are to be found playing football, using woodwork equipment, and boys enjoying cookery and work with thread and fabric – there is no discrimination.