About us

Our school is built on the following aims:

  • We create a positive atmosphere where everyone feels proud to contribute and work together, in making our school a happy and safe place.
  • We ensure that every child receives the best possible start to school life, by providing broad and balanced teaching and learning opportunities.
  • We support individuals in being responsible for their own actions, to learn acceptable behaviour, and understand right from wrong.
  • We encourage individuals to respect and value other points of view in preparation for living in an ever – changing society.
  • We deliver the best possible education through inspiring and challenging every individual’s potential to feel motivated in achieving their best.
  • We recognise that we work in partnership with parents and others, to encourage the excitement of continued lifelong learning.
  • We identify and celebrate every individual’s strengths, so that they are confident in building on their achievements, and sharing them with others.

School Organisation

Our school delivers the Foundation Stage Curriculum, Key Stage 1 curriculum and Key Stage 2 curriculum. St. Thomas Primary School is a one-form entry primary school, and where possible children are taught in single-age classes. Children can be taught on a one-to-one basis, in small groups, or in a whole class situation. Children also have some time together in assemblies, play times and other cross-school activities.

What To Wear

Our uniform is red, grey and white. It is smart, practical and affordable. The uniform gives our children a sense of identity, and we encourage them to take a pride in their appearance. We ask that children wear sensible, flat, well supportive, non-slip shoes. For safety we ask that children do not wear jewellery. All children with pierced ears should wear only one pair of small stud earrings.

Learning Community

St. Thomas Primary School is part of a local learning community, which includes all feeder primary schools for West Exe Technology College, where our children transfer the September after their eleventh birthday.

Extended Schools Programme

The latest initiative is beginning to impact on the choice of before and after school activities at St. Thomas Primary School. As these become available parents will be notified.

Attendance

We understand that children/young people may occasionally miss school for various reasons. Sometimes this is related to their physical health, their mental well-being or a range of other school/family related factors.

At St. Thomas Primary, our most important goal is to create a safe and supportive school community where your child can thrive. We believe that regular attendance throughout the year is essential for children to experience a sense of belonging, success and fulfilment. There is a great deal of current research available which clearly shows that even quite low levels of absence have a negative impact on achievement

We appreciate that every situation is different and there may be specific issues that are making it difficult for your child to attend school. We will always want to gain a better understanding of the reasons why they haven’t been able to attend school and want to work with parents to support their attendance.

Please remember that only the school, within the context of the law, can approve absences, not parents.