Our School

I hope you will find this information useful although our school brochure which is available on this website under "documents" contains the latest and most up to date information. If there are any questions please contact us.

Our Site and Buildings
Ruishton Church of England Primary School was founded in 1861 and is one of the oldest schools in Somerset. It moved from its original building in 1975 and in the last few years there have been significant developments on the present site. The new classrooms were opened and blessed by the Archdeacon of Taunton, the Venerable John Reed, in December 2005. Since that time we have opened a new library with electronic scanning capability, a new ICT suite and a purpose built music room. This has been accompanied by other development, including new play equipment, and a wild area.

A new kitchen, outdoor classroom and additional PE storage were opened in September 2008, and since then a new administrative suite has been added. Woodlands pre-school have moved on to the site in a new purpose built classroom, and offer both pre-school education and through “The Hub” child care before and after school, and in the school holidays.

The site is open and spacious, and although only one mile from the outskirts of the county town of Taunton, is extremely quiet and pleasant. We have a large play area and extensive fields, which we use for a wide variety of sports and games. There are at present approximately 140 children on roll in five class rooms, with a large hall and other ancillary buildings, and work spaces for individual and group work,

The school day starts at 8.55am and finishes at 3.15pm and we are open for 190 days per year. The majority of children will leave us for Heathfield Secondary School, although some pupils who live out of the catchment area, may move on to other schools.

Starting School
We follow the local policy on first admissions and children will start part-time in September. We hold a new Parents' meeting with staff, PTA representatives, Governing body representative and Head teacher in the summer before the children begin school and we invite the new reception children to a Play to Learn session when they can meet their friends. You will be asked to sign a home/school agreement in September, which outlines the responsibility of school, parent and child in their learning

School Policies
School Policies are reviewed and renewed as necessary. If you wish to see a particular policy document, please check on this site under "documents", where you will find the most relevant ones. If you wish to see any others, please ask at the office.

Special Education
We believe that all children require the greatest possible access to a broad and balanced education. The school provides good support for children with additional needs, whether they have learning or physical difficulties and addresses those who are high achievers. Work given will be matched to the child's needs and abilities. Group work or individual support will be provided as appropriate.

Reporting to Parents
We have at least two Parents evenings and one full written report each year. The results of national and any internal tests, whether they be statutory or optional are reported to parents. The school staff are very welcoming and open and if you have any queries or concerns please make an appointment to discuss them with your child's class teacher.

Newsletter
The School Newsletter is published regularly. Each newsletter, whether it is printed or on the website, will tell you when the next one is due. Urgent communications will always be put on the website but distributed in printed form.

School Trips, swimming and Visits
You will be notified about trips or visits and a permission form will need to be signed in order for us to take the children out of school. The cost of most of these trips is met by voluntary contributions from parents. A minimum level of support is required for them to go ahead. If you have any difficulty making a contribution, please contact the head teacher.

Absence
Please telephone the school regarding absences for illness. We check if pupils are not present and will telephone if we have not heard. Holidays should be taken during School holiday periods. If, however, you have an exceptional reason to take your annual family holiday during school time, you need to fill in a holiday form, available from the School Office or this website (under "documents), and obtain approval from the head teacher.