SIAMS

Our Church School Status

Thorncombe St. Mary’s Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School was awarded ‘good’ by the Statutory Inspection of Anglican, Methodist and ecumenical Schools (SIAMS). This explores one question – how effective is the school’s distinctive Christian vision, established and promoted by leadership at all levels, in enabling all pupils and adults to flourish?

In the Parish of Thorncombe our school is part of the Chard team. We are the only school in Dorset to belong to Bath and Wells Diocese rather than to Salisbury Diocese. Based in Wells, our Diocesan centre is available for resources and courses. Karen Sancto, the School Effectiveness Advisor, visits periodically to support school improvement and promote Christian values. We retain connection with Salisbury Diocese giving us the opportunity to liaise with local Dorset schools.

Through our local Pyramid, we belong to a group of Church Schools enabling heads and their church leaders to meet regularly. This cross-border group involves Somerset, Devon and Dorset schools. It is aimed at sharing good practice, tackling shared issues and creating opportunities for staff and pupils to meet in faith related activities.

Christian ethos flows through school life. Our Head of School and Executive Head lead assemblies celebrating our Christian Values: love and compassion; thankfulness; service; hope; endurance; and forgiveness. Teaching and learning embed these values and the children participate in activities around Harvest, Remembrance, Christmas and Easter; on these occasions the whole school attend services in church with parents. The Rev. Philip Butcher (Ex-Officio Governor), Vicar of St Mary’s Church and the Two Shires Benefice, visits half termly to lead collective worship in school.

The school fosters good relations with the village church and is always looking to strengthen ways of working together to benefit pupils and the community. Led by Patricia Barnes, Chair of Governors, church members deliver ‘Open the Book’ collective worship in school every Monday. Encouraged to take part in these sessions based on Bible stories, the children enjoy participating as actors or readers.

Please click the link below for our latest SIAMS report from the Diocese.

St Marys Thorncombe SIAMS Report – Dec 2014

Striving for ‘outstanding’, completing the SIAMS self-evaluation form (SEF) in preparation for our next inspection is an ongoing whole school community effort.