The village of Whitstone is conveniently situated close to the seaside resort of Bude, the market town of Holsworthy and the former county town of Cornwall, Launceston. Within five miles is the rugged, dramatic North Cornwall coast; a little further afield there is the wild beauty of Bodmin Moor, Exmoor and Dartmoor. There is also easy access to the main road and rail links.
Our school is maintained and funded by the Education Committee of Cornwall County Council and serves the families of the villages of Whitstone and North Tamerton, although children from other villages also attend the school; most of the children continue their education at Budehaven Community School.
The aim of all staff, teaching and non-teaching, is to provide a caring and supportive environment in which a child can succeed.
The aims are: to provide a range of learning opportunities for all children enrolled at the school; to help them become self-confident and responsible people making the best use of their time in the education system and to begin to prepare them for the adult world beyond the school gate; to allow children to develop lively enquiring minds capable of independent thought; and to experience enjoyment in learning so that they may be encouraged to take advantage of educational opportunities throughout their lives.
As teachers, we set high standards for work, play and social development; the children are encouraged to do their best. The children's self-esteem is promoted through a system of rewards and praise in the classroom, the playground and during lunch times.
Within the school, we strive to provide a safe, pleasant and stimulating environment so that the time everyone spends at Whitstone school, however long or short, will remain with him or her in happy memories and in moral, emotional, spiritual and intellectual growth.
We believe, however, that we can only achieve the best for your child by close co-operation between home and school, and there will be many opportunities to share in your child's education.
CURRICULUM
In a two-year programme, Class 1 (Foundation Stage, Years 1 and 2) study a wide curriculum in order to meet the requirements of the Early Learning Goals (as defined in the curriculum guidance for the Foundation Stage) and the Programmes of Study at Key Stage 1 (as described in the National Curriculum). Also in a two-year programme, Classes 2 and 3 cover all aspects of the Programmes of Study for each of the curriculum areas within Key Stages 1 and 2, following the statutory Curriculum 2000 guidelines.
Literacy and Numeracy lessons take place in all the classes. We ensure that by the time the children leave in Year 6, they have had the opportunity to study each area of the curriculum to the level of understanding of which they are capable; it is our aim to ensure that each child reaches his or her full potential for every curriculum subject whilst he or she is in our care. Policies for the teaching, learning and assessment of each subject have been produced and are available for anyone to read. These policies are reviewed regularly and updated as changes occur, either nationally or locally.
Schemes of work have been developed for each curriculum area and will be frequently reviewed and, if necessary, revised as the staff teach, evaluate and modify each subject area. Again, as changes occur nationally, these schemes of work may need altering to fulfil the different curriculum requirements specified by the DfES. The schemes of work, alongside other important information, can be viewed outside the school office. |