It is my pleasure to welcome you to Ilsham C of E Academy website.

Ilsham Church of England Academy is situated in the heart of Wellswood ‘Village’ approximately one mile from Torquay Harbour. The school was built in 1871 and has grown in size and popularity, now accommodating 175 pupils aged between 4 and 11. We are very proud of the close relationship that we have with the local community and our local church, St Matthias.

We consider our academy to be like a big family. Parents and visitors to our school often comment on the warm and friendly atmosphere. We aim for every child to have a happy and active primary education in an environment that is caring and supporting. We aim to provide a stimulating and structured environment concerned with the moral, academic, social and spiritual education in which all children are encouraged to reach their full potential.

Education is best achieved by means of a partnership between parent, child and school. It is with your help and co-operation that this full potential can be met. Our primary school years lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning and we work hard to foster the vital partnership between home and school.

We want Ilsham Academy to be an environment where all can feel happy and confident to contribute and aspire to achieving high educational standards.

Only in such an ethos can a child take their place and produce his/her best.

This website is designed to give you a glimpse of the range of opportunities available at the school as well as an insight into the things we consider important in the education of our children. It is packed with information that parents/guardians need to know. If you are a prospective parent looking for an admission place for your child, I would be delighted if you would come along to meet us in person and look around the school.

I look forward to meeting you in the near future.

Yours sincerely

Mrs L Atkinson

Executive Headteacher

Church Statement

Ilsham is a Church of England Academy in the Diocese of Exeter. Recognising its historic foundation the school strives to preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles and practice of the Church of England and in partnership with the church in the parish and the diocese. The school aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith, and promotes Christian values through the experiences it offers to all its pupils.

Vision

Our vision is of a school which has high expectations of all its children; a school in which children’s contributions and children as individuals are valued and respected. We have a vision of our school as a productive, stimulating and rich learning environment in which children and staff experience equal opportunity in all things in order that their true potential is realised. Improving basic skills is the responsibility of all staff.

Aims

1. All staff at Ilsham Church of England Academy aim to provide a caring, disciplined and stimulating environment, in which our children can feel secure, happy and proud. We foster and encourage a Christian ethos respecting the spiritual and moral values of others.
2. We respect every child and are committed to nurturing every aspect of his or her development – intellectual, creative, emotional, physical and spiritual. We will ensure the safety of every child and will promote opportunities to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle.
3. Our drive to develop each child’s potential, accessed through the provision of a broad and balanced curriculum, is underpinned by our commitment to continually improve achievement in the basic skills.
4. We offer an inclusive curriculum to ensure that each child’s learning experience offers maximum opportunities for excellence, enjoyment, personal development, respect for self and others. Our aim is for children to become confident, self motivated, responsible citizens to enable them to make a positive and economic contribution to society.
5. We value our partnership with parents and the community. We will constantly strive to work together to offer our children the best possible opportunities to equip them for life long learning.

Notes in Respect of Information This document relates to the school academic year 2011/2012. It should not, however, be assumed that there will be no variation before the start of, or during, the particular school year, or subsequently. The document is not intended to create contractual relations and may be varied in the light of changing circumstances.