The school recognises that it is a rural, village school and partnerships with our local community are very important to us.
We enjoy working with the following groups:
Torrington Learning Community Partnership - the school works closely with other schools in our geographical locality. The partnership consists of Great Torrington School (GTS), Torrington Bluecoats Primary school, Beaford Primary School, Langtree Primary School and Monkleigh Primary School. The Headteachers of these schools meet termly to plan and work collaboratively, eg a joint music festival, paired "learning walks" to undertake "deep dives", etc.
The Woodland Trust (who manages and owns Bailey Wood) where the children enjoy Forest School activities with our trained Forest School staff.
We have a nursery partnership agreement with Lovacott Nursery (who provide our wrap-around breakfast, after school club and holiday childcare) and Little Learners (a local childminder). We meet together termly to plan joint activities and also to ensure a smooth transition for the pupils we all care for.
The Parish Council. The Headteacher has become a member of the Parish Council to ensure that the school works sympathetically with the needs of the local communities of Horwood, Lovacott and Newton Tracey. A recent collaboration has been when 4 pupils from the school recently fund raised money towards the implementation of the Devon Air Ambulance Landing Site on the Parish Field - championed by the Parish Council.
The school enjoys a good relationship with the Parish Council. The school lets out a classroom for their monthly meetings and also pays to use the Parish Field for sporting and leisure activities.
The Village Hall. The school regularly rents the Village Hall (as we do not have a hall of our own). We use this for PE activities, performances and larger gatherings.
Local church groups. A small local group called "Open the book" visit the school once a term to do assemblies with a Christian theme. The local Vicar also works closely with the school and is a regular visitor. In addition, the school works with the local Parish Church to donate filled "shoeboxes" for its annual Samaritan's Purse appeal and attends the "Shoebox Service". The children also sing annually at Alverdiscott Chapel at their Christmas carol service.
The children regularly visit and sing to "Lunch Bunch" - a group of local villagers who meet for a meal at the Village Hall.
In response to the local community expressing concerns about congestion and parking, the school updated its School Travel Plan and implemented a "walking bus". Now, up to 18 children walk every day from the Village Hall which has reduced the parking problems immediately close the school. Staff (where possible) also park at the Village Hall and walk up the road to not inconvenience local residents.