ENGAGING HEARTS
AND EQUIPPING MINDS
Thorneyholme School is in the idyllic village of Dunsop Bridge. A perfect setting for the perfect education. Gail Bailey visited to find out more. Photography: Kirsten Platt
Immediately on walking into Thorneyholme Primary School you sense the caring culture that it embodies.
“The school is located in a unique rural setting, which allows an abundance of learning activities within the natural, picturesque surroundings and ample opportunities for forest learning,” explains Headteacher Moya Smith.
The team at the school are wholly committed to not only developing their pupils academically, but also ensuring they have a completely rounded experience which the benefits of a smaller school are able to provide: “Our small class sizes ensure that the teaching and learning is wide and varied, according to the interests of the children, and it is designed to cater for each individual child’s needs,” says Deputy Headteacher Olga Jackson.
Experienced teacher Jackie Entwistle highlights the advantages of mixed-age classes: “Our mixed age classes are a huge benefit for the children. It really is noticeable that the children are used to mixing with lots of different ages, which allows them to challenge and extend their learning, which prepares them well for their transition to high school, while also developing a caring and nurturing nature towards the younger pupils.”
The school itself was built in 1866 by Colonel Charles Towneley of Burnley on part of the estate his family owned – he had built the small, but magnificent, St Hubert’s Roman Catholic Church in Dunsop Bridge a year earlier. The school welcomes parents and children of all faiths and enthusiastically celebrates difference and diversity. In an inspection report in 2017 the school was praised for its local reputation as being: ‘The small school with the big welcome!’
Pupils at Thorneyholme also have the benefit of their unique rural setting, in that they get time outdoors every day with their extensive playground, which includes trees, dens, bird feeding, polytunnel gardens, an adventure playground and quiet areas. Olga adds: “We have a passion for learning and teaching in a wider context and the curriculum incorporates our natural surroundings.”
The school has been very fortunate to have been given use of a nearby area within the Black Plantation Forest, by the Forestry Commission, for Forest School activities which are led by Jackie, who is a Forest School trained teacher. Regular lessons in the forest throughout the year give children the opportunity to be stimulated by the outdoors, experiencing the woods across all the seasons and in all the different weather it brings. Activities include handling and using tools, building dens, team games, making shelters, cooking, learning knots and many more cross-curricular activities. The school has recently received the Green Tree Gold Award from the Woodland Trust, which acknowledges and rewards the school for all the environmental work it has undertaken.
Extra-curricular activity doesn’t stop there however, and the school believes that children should be given the opportunity to further enrich their curriculum learning through hands-on and real experience in the form of trips. As teacher Jackie explains: “Last year alone, the children participated in over 10 visits. Each topic we cover involves a trip out to support the children’s learning.” In addition to travelling further afield for trips, there are plenty of enrichment opportunities locally.
Thorneyholme provides outstanding global learning. It has a Silver Award status as a Rights Respecting School (UNICEF). Children at Thorneyholme are fluent in current affairs and issues at local, national and global levels, covering topics such as child soldiers and global warming. The school regularly celebrates key events such as Black History Month and World Democracy Day.
“Language is also extremely well supported in the school with Olga fluent in French,” Moya says.
Family involvement is important to the school and regular assemblies and themed afternoons are held where parents and friends are invited: “The community also share their expertise running art projects, a gardening club and much more,” adds Moya.
“The school also support parents’ working commitments. We provide an early bird drop-in session before school along with a free after school club every day between 3.30pm and 5.30pm. This is run by a sports coaching company and is a huge bonus to parents and children love the fun, physical sessions.”
Healthy eating is an important focus too. School dinners are all freshly prepared and cooked on site. With the support of the school’s ‘parliament’ the school is also aiming to be plastic free.
Headteacher Moya concludes: “Our school is a very special place where each child is encouraged to reach their full potential, both academically and personally, in a happy, safe and stimulating environment.”
The school is pleased to chat to prospective parents and visits are welcome all year round. To make an appointment simply call 01200 448276
Thorneyholme Roman Catholic Primary School
Trough Road, Dunsop Bridge
Clitheroe BB7 3BG
01200 448276
bursar@thorneyholme.lancs.sch.uk
www.thorneyholme.lancs.sch.uk
