26 Jun 2007 - NEW Headteacher
A letter from the current Headteacher.
There is also children's information as well as their views about the vacancy on the School Council page.
There is also children's information as well as their views about the vacancy on the School Council page.
Dear enquirer,
I thought it might be useful to include some thoughts from me as part of the pack of information about the school.
Being Headteacher here is an action packed, varied- and usually an enjoyable experience! The children are responsive and there is a family-feel to the school with lots of contacts between all ages. Parents, governors and the local community are very supportive, with a majority of parents directly involved as governors, PFTA activists or as voluntary helpers of various kinds. We have an excellent team, even though the members sometimes cram the staffroom.
Of course there are particular challenges to being small, but I think there is also much more freedom, more capacity for rapid change and many more opportunities to be creative than are found in larger schools. Our size also means the budget is fixed and figures known 3 years ahead.
I have enjoyed links with a number of local schools. Periodically the Barnstaple Learning Community organises curriculum projects such as Drama to stimulate both Art and Writing. Last summer a local composer, worked with Primary and Secondary pupils and teachers to create and perform ?Now and Then?, a musical history of Barnstaple. It was brilliant to see so many Primary and Secondary children making music together.
LEA support has been helpful and is not just about SAT results. In particular I have enjoyed contact with other Headteachers during the Primary Leadership Programme and being part of a Local Learning Network supporting curriculum development.
The setting of the school with the garden squares, the Willowbank and Combe Woods just a short walk away is ideal for using the outdoors. The current refurbishment of Class 1 will enhance the learning environment further. I also anticipate that the new Headteacher will be able put into use the new triangle of land adjacent to the playground, which should be developed by the end of August.
I hope you will want to explore our website and arrange a visit to find out more. I feel it is an ideal time for a new Headteacher to make an impact and feel sure the next few years will be successful and rewarding ones for whoever takes on this post.
With Best Wishes,
Tim Nias
I thought it might be useful to include some thoughts from me as part of the pack of information about the school.
Being Headteacher here is an action packed, varied- and usually an enjoyable experience! The children are responsive and there is a family-feel to the school with lots of contacts between all ages. Parents, governors and the local community are very supportive, with a majority of parents directly involved as governors, PFTA activists or as voluntary helpers of various kinds. We have an excellent team, even though the members sometimes cram the staffroom.
Of course there are particular challenges to being small, but I think there is also much more freedom, more capacity for rapid change and many more opportunities to be creative than are found in larger schools. Our size also means the budget is fixed and figures known 3 years ahead.
I have enjoyed links with a number of local schools. Periodically the Barnstaple Learning Community organises curriculum projects such as Drama to stimulate both Art and Writing. Last summer a local composer, worked with Primary and Secondary pupils and teachers to create and perform ?Now and Then?, a musical history of Barnstaple. It was brilliant to see so many Primary and Secondary children making music together.
LEA support has been helpful and is not just about SAT results. In particular I have enjoyed contact with other Headteachers during the Primary Leadership Programme and being part of a Local Learning Network supporting curriculum development.
The setting of the school with the garden squares, the Willowbank and Combe Woods just a short walk away is ideal for using the outdoors. The current refurbishment of Class 1 will enhance the learning environment further. I also anticipate that the new Headteacher will be able put into use the new triangle of land adjacent to the playground, which should be developed by the end of August.
I hope you will want to explore our website and arrange a visit to find out more. I feel it is an ideal time for a new Headteacher to make an impact and feel sure the next few years will be successful and rewarding ones for whoever takes on this post.
With Best Wishes,
Tim Nias