Top marks for Mid Devon school

PUPILS and staff at Kentisbeare Primary School are celebrating after receiving a gold award for their outdoor learning programme – the only school to achieve the accolade in the Devon.

The school, which is near Cullompton, was awarded gold in the recent Learning Outside the Classroom awards.

And the prestigious honour comes hot on the heels of the school achieving a recent glowing Ofsted report and being placed as the ninth best primary school in Devon in the Primary Real Schools Guide.

Helen Ainsworth, head of school, said they were thrilled with their recent achievements.

She added: We are so proud of our school, these recent awards are testament to the hard work of our staff, pupils and the ongoing support of the parents and local community.

‘We have an excellent school based in an idyllic rural location, just outside Cullompton. We have beautiful grounds which have been a real asset to us. At Kentisbeare we are focused on both academic achievements, but also, importantly, on developing well-rounded, happy children.

The school has 164 children, with an additional pre-school provision attached. Each year group is taught separately. The school, which is part of the Culm Valley Federation, was identified as ‘good’ by Ofsted earlier this year, following an inspection in October 2016.

The Ofsted report praised the outdoor learning provision at the school, stating: ‘It is a key strength of the school as it enriches the curriculum and gives pupils’ opportunities to apply skills purposefully and meaningfully’.

The report added: ‘The pupils live out the values underpinning the school’s work. They show great respect for each other, for all staff and their environment. As a result, the school is an exciting and pleasant place to be.’

‘Children make good progress as a result of good teaching’.

The school would welcome enquiries from families with children between three to five years old. For more information contact Kentisbeare Primary School on 01884 266330.