
3POTT SHRIGLEY CHURCH SCHOOL |
BEST PRACTICE SPONSOR 2020
upstairs. We are continually mindful
that our environment is used for other
village purposes. We are fortunate that
the chair of the village hall trustees is
an advocate and therefore our alliance
is based on true partnership and
mutual respect.
We make the most of our location
on the edge of the Peak District, by
committing to learning outside the
classroom. Every Friday afternoon,
the whole school leaves the building
to learn in a different environment
and in a different way. Forest school
is our favourite activity, but we also
go climbing, practise yoga and enjoy
water sports in the beautiful Goyt
Valley. During the autumn term,
we have been visiting a local farm
learning about trees, using a night
vision camera to see mammals and
learning about the sheep on the
farm. As a school, we believe that
this kind of experience enhances
the children’s social, emotional and
mental wellbeing, teaches them how
to manage risk, builds resilience and
bravery and encourages cooperation.
Not least, it gives them an appreciation
of their place in the world, increases
their environmental awareness and
helps them to build a sustainable
relationship with the outdoors.
Moving forwards
The most pressing challenge we face is
the cuts to school budgets and the new
Fairer Funding Formula. It is not fairer
for small rural schools and we do not
have enough money to run the school.
We rely on funding from grants,
our fantastic PTA and a reduction in
basic services, such as cleaning the
school, to avoid a deficit budget. Our
local authority acknowledge that it
is difficult to manage with such low
pupil numbers. It will continue to be
so unless the government properly
supports rural schools financially,
acknowledging that they are vital to
the communities theyserve.
As the new Ofsted framework
changes the focus to a broad,
balanced curriculum and expert subject
leadership, this presents yet another
challenge for small schools. With only
three teachers, including myself, we
intend to work with governors to
develop our curriculum and a rolling
programme of subject leadership.
This way, we can give each area the
attention it deserves while maintaining a
work-life balance for staff. We also hope
to continue our excellent relationships
with other rural church schools to share
expertise and CPDopportunities.
Age is not a
limitation here
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Inspiring a love of
learning