Christian Distinctiveness

Our Vision

A loving family of learners, rooted in Christian value and mutual respect, where everyone is encouraged to achieve, aspire and flourish.

‘I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.’ Philippians 4:13

We at Black Torrington C of E (VC) Primary School seek to help every child achieve their full potential, and to foster a respect for other people, their cultures and beliefs, all underpinned by Christian values.

Our Aims

· To develop in children a love of learning.

· To make learning relevant, meaningful and fun in a safe, happy and healthy environment.

· To play an active role in the local and wider communities.

· To develop a mutual respect between pupils, staff, other adults and visitors to the school.

· To make children aware of Christian traditions and worship.

Values

Co-operation

We all need to do our part

Respect

Do to others what you would have done to you

Achievement

Wisdom and knowledge are better than silver or gold.

Friendship

Love your neighbour as yourself.

Trust

For we live by faith, not by sight.

Black Torrington Primary School is a voluntary controlled, Church of England school set at the heart of our community.

The building dates back to 1894 with a more modern extension added in 2001 where a former barn had stood. The present accommodation comprises an entrance foyer, administrator’s office, staff office, library and reprographics area, two classrooms, kitchen, hall, toilets and storage areas. The hall is used for daily assemblies and acts of worship, as well as for lunch and physical activities.

SIAMS inspection

On 8th November 2016, we were appraised via a SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) inspection. We are delighted to announce that we maintained the GOOD grade, which we received at our last inspection 5 years ago. We were very pleased to welcome John Searson, diocesan Director of Education, and Fr Richard Maudsley, diocesan Education Officer, to school on 30th November. They enjoyed a tour of the school and meeting the children. They then spent time with David Fitzsimmons, the Executive Head, a Governor and Caroline Boother, to discuss the recent SIAMS report and the provision in the school and its academic standards. We were pleased to be able to inform them that we are expecting really good results next summer; that teaching and learning is consistently very good and that outcomes for children across the curriculum are strong. They complimented the school on its calm atmosphere and well cared for learning environment. They also commented upon the outstanding behaviour of the children and the role that the community plays in the school. We thank children, staff and parents who were involved in the process for their contribution. To read the full report click below:

SIAMS Report Black Torrington Final 2016

Nativity

Towards the end of term the whole school took part in “Star Gazers” a musical nativity based on the 3 Kings part of the Christmas story. The children enjoyed being part of it all singing beautifully and remembering their lines and places. Local people were invited to the dress rehearsal and families and friends came on 8th December to an evening performance.

Carol Service

On 11th December we attended St Mary’s Church for our annual Carol Service, the children sang Carols, read prayers and lit the Advent candles. We were treated to refreshments afterwards by the ladies from the church.

In September, we held our Harvest Festival at St Mary’s Church. The service was filled with hymns, as well as poems and readings which the children had learned and presented to the congregation. They had all created Harvest-themed art work, with every child making and decorating a salt dough leaf, and Class One made apple trees using prints of real apples! Thank you to all those who were part of the congregation and who donated goods. One parent, Mrs Sarah Leach, kindly baked and donated a harvest loaf. All contributions of dry goods will be going to the Bideford Food Bank.

On the last day of the summer term we held our annual leaver’s service in the church, the children shared their memories  and the leavers were presented with Bibles.

In June KS1 children visited the church.

In May the children attended the Ascension Day Service in St Mary’s Church where there were bible readings by the children, and pins removed from the Paschal Candle.

“We learned about Jesus going up into Heaven” said Maisie

“We were reminded about Jesus’s body and blood and why we have bread and wine in church” said Hazel

In the last week of the Spring term the children took part in many Easter activities.

The whole school attended a special Easter Service in the church, the children acted out the story of Easter, they read poems and prayers. We welcomed parents and friends to the service who joined in the singing of hymns.

We have been fortunate this term to have Mr Goodwin teaching the children to play the Ukelele, a talented group of the children showed how much they have learned in just one term as they performed “Spirit of God”, with the congregation joining in the singing.

 

Nativity Play

On 9th December the children performed the Christmas play “A Miracle in Town” to family and friends. It was a lovely performance, the children excelled themselves, nobody forgot their lines or positions and the singing was beautiful. Well done to the whole cast. Also a big thank you to the PTFA for providing the refreshments (£27.18 was collected in donations for the NSPCC, our Charity this year) and to everyone who helped with learning lines and making the costumes.

Carol Service

On 14th December we held our annual Carol service in St Mary’s Church, the children sang Carols, read prayers and talked about gifts for the baby Jesus.

Wonder of Wednesday Club

Every other Wednesday we run a lunchtime club, open to all the children, to give them the opportunity to explore bible stories through art, craft, drama and poetry.

This term we will be looking at dates in the Christian calendar and reflecting on  their meaning.

On Thursday 3rd November, class one visited the church to look at the church and to learn about Christian beliefs. They were able to ask Rev. Kathy about the ceremonies that take place in the church. Alice called it a “prayer house”

Harvest Festival

On Wednesday 28th September 2016 we held the school’s Harvest Festival service at St Mary’s Church. The children read poems and the congregation sang the hymns which had been selected by class 2. All the children had created some artwork to decorate the window in the children’s area of the church. Thank you for all your kind gifts and donations which were displayed as the school logo rainbow and will be passed on to the Food Bank.

Our visit to Exeter Mosque and Cathedral

 

On Thursday 19th May 2016, Class Two children from both Black Torrington and Bradford Primary Schools visited Exeter Mosque and Cathedral as part of their RE work. The children were taken on a guided tour of the Mosque, seeing the washing areas, prayer halls and having the opportunity to ask questions about the Muslim faith.

 

After lunch on the Cathedral Green, they took a guided tour of the Cathedral, focusing on the artefacts used in worship. Some of the children dressed up in cathedral vestments or choir boy / girl clothes. There was then an opportunity to sing in the choir stalls and take a moment to reflect on their own journey through life.

All of the children thoroughly enjoyed their visit.

“The Cathedral was really cool,we walked over dead bodies” said Lee

“The Mosque was very different; it was a much newer building with a moon on the top outside. The people pray differently, there were no chairs, they sit on the floor to pray.” said Lily

On Wednesday 11th May 2016, Class one visited St Mary’s Church for a Baptism service. Erin and Aiden took their “baby”, Isobel, to be Baptised by  Rev Kathy. Alice, Jay and Hazel were invited to be Godparents. Everyone took and active role in the service, signing the sign of the cross on Isobel’s head and joining in with the prayers. Isobel remained quiet throughout, despite getting liberally covered with water! Many thanks to Reverend Kathy for helping us.

On Thursday 5th May 2016, all the children were invited to attend St Mary’s Church Ascension Day Service. Some of the children has been asked to do special readings as part of the service. As it progressed Reverend Kathy explained the relevance of each part. The children joined the congregational to sing “Spirit of God” and “Shine, Jesus, Shine”. Many of the staff and children took part in the communion.

In March 2016, Class 1 organised and held a wedding as part of their RE work on celebrations.

 

Please see the class 1 learning page for more information.

Our special service of welcome

We were visited recently by Father Richard Maudsley, who came to welcome Miss Jackson to the school in her new role of head teacher. Wow club led the celebrations by performing ‘The sower and the seed’

At the end of the service Miss Jackson was presented with a bible.

Our Christmas play this year was “Straw and Order”, this was performed in the Chapel. The production told the story of a property dispute between a donkey and cow over inviting guests to stay in the stable.

We held our Christmas Carol Service in St Mary’s Church, the children lit the Advent Candles, sang Carols, and read prayers, afterwards the church treated us to refreshments.

To read our RE Policy, please click below.

To read our Collective Worship Policy, please click below.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION POLICY
Federation Primary Collective Worship Policy