Coronavirus update – school closure to most pupils
As advised by the government, we have now been instructed to close the school to almost all children until further notice. We will do all we can to stay open for the children of key workers (e.g. NHS staff, police, others in frontline services) and children with certain needs.
Please check the following link for news updates and information cioncerning home learning resources for you and your child - COVID-19 School Information.
Our rural school is at one end of the small village of Ash, near Martock. About six miles N.W. of Yeovil, one mile from the A303. Please use the interactive map, to assist you in locating our school, via the CONTACT PAGE.
We are very fortunate to have excellent accommodation and facilities. The school buildings were constructed around a listed barn in 1997. They stand in extensive grounds with beautiful views across the South Somerset countryside.
Our school has six classrooms, three within the main building, two in an “Elliott” block and a further smaller classroom.
The main building contains a large hall with P.E. apparatus, a kitchen, library and a large computer suite. The administration area is housed in the converted barn and contains the school offices, medical room and staffroom. There is also a work area, ‘The Hay Loft’ which is used for music tuition. There are two separate playgrounds and a large field with sports pitches.
The early years’ play area is attractive and safe. There is stimulating climbing equipment in both playgrounds. We have developed various environmental areas including a nature trail and garden plots.
Each of our classes has outdoor areas which are used to extend learning opportunities for the children. There are also further areas both inside and outside which are used for small group work. There is a Forest School area and a straw bale sustainable building for environmental activities. We also have use of the ‘Millennium Wood’, owned by the Parish Council which joins onto our school site.
On our school site we have a purpose built ‘nursery unit’ which is occupied by Ash Scallywags Pre-School (for further information contact: Shirley Coulter, Supervisor 01935 826518)
We have a very talented group of teachers and a very experienced and able support staff with extra support in all classes.
School Ethos Statement
“Recognising its historic foundation, the school will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England and in partnership with the Church at the parish and diocesan level. Building on our Christian foundation and in partnership with parents, we aim to provide a secure and creative environment where individuals are valued and nurtured, and are enabled to aspire to educational excellence. We encourage an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith, and promote Christian values through the experience we offer to all our pupils.’’
Safeguarding Statement
Ash Church of England VC Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and all staff and volunteers share this commitment.
We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection/Safeguarding Policy which can be viewed here.
We follow the guidance from the DFE which means we may sometimes need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies, when there are concerns about a child's welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child's welfare.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs Nicola Roberts (Headteacher) and the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs Mandy Strong (EYFS teacher). The Governor with responsibility for safeguarding in our school in Mrs Shirley Coulter who is also the designated safeguarding lead at Scallywags.
