Our History        

Trekenner CP School is maintained and funded by the Education Committee of Cornwall County Council.

 

 

Most of the pupils’ families live in Lezant Parish, a happy and caring community of scattered villages, hamlets and farmsteads bordered six miles from Launceston – the ancient capital of Cornwall – and twenty-odd miles from  the centre of

 

Plymouth .  Parents’ occupations and backgrounds are very varied – farmers, locally employed and self-employed people as well as commuters to Plymouth and elsewhere.

 

 

The school itself was built in 1878 originally being the school and school house (the latter now being the office / library and resource room).  One of our families currently has their “fifth generation child” being educated at Trekenner - which is something of which we are very proud!  

 

 

In May 2006 the school underwent an Ofsted Inspection.  The Ofsted Inspectors described Trekenner as a caring school with a very good ethos whose pupils are well behaved and have a very good attitude towards learning.  The report actually states that

 

 

            “Pupils attitudes and their enjoyment of their education are outstanding. 

 

            Pupils enjoy coming to school and talk excitedly about their lessons” 

 

 

Home School Partnership

 

 

                   

 

We firmly believe in a strong partnership between the school and the family and are always willing to listen to the views and suggestions of parents.  A child's education is a continuous process in which we all share, to give children confidence, enthusiasm and enjoyment in learning.

 

  

All staff, teaching and non-teaching, together with our Governors are concerned for the well-being of the children.  We wish to encourage understanding and trust between children and staff to promote care and respect for others.  Good behaviour and proper regard for authority are always reinforced.

 

  

 

  

At Trekenner we aim to provide a school environment in which children can learn about responsibilities, making decisions and showing respect for others.    We aim to prepare our children for adult life within happy,   secure  and  stimulating surroundings.

 

 

  

   

 

 

School Governors

 

  

The school’s governing body are responsible for monitoring the running of the school.  The Governors come from many walks of life and the Governing Body meets at least once each term, although small governor committees meet more frequently. All governors monitor and help plan the development of the school.  We keep in regular contact with our governors and at least one governor from each committee visits during the school day each term. 

 

 

The class teachers and/or Headteacher are always willing and able to discuss with parents matters concerning individual children’s education and / or the operating procedures of the school.  However, all parents are welcome to contact a 

 

Governor / the Chairman of Governors should there by any aspect of  the school with which they are not happy.

 

 

The Governors and staff at Trekenner   School aim for each child in their care to develop as a member of a happy and caring community where each individual has obligations as well as rights.  We encourage respect and tolerance of others, and together children will learn to value the contribution that each makes to the life of the school.

 

Parent-Teacher Association

 

 

All parents and staff automatically become members of our Parent-Teacher Association. This involvement is a vital part of school life. Your partnership and contribution can be as much or as little as you are able to give but all support and help is invaluable. Teachers, classroom assistants, secretary, cook, lunchtime assistants, caretaker, governors and

 

parents are working together to enrich and develop the learning opportunities for each child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parents Helping In School

 

  

Many school activities take place with parents working alongside the teacher in the

 

classroom, on visits, school clubs or out of school activities.

 

 

If you would like to help us but not in the classroom there are always tasks such as book sorting, photocopying and behind the scenes organising which is equally appreciated.   Parents can also help to prepare storysacks at home.

 

  

Learning is a complex process. Parents and teachers together can give the best possible environment for learning to take place.

 

 

Consultation / Information 

 

 

We operate an “open door” policy and actively encourage parental involvement in the school.  There are regular informal opportunities at the end of the day and, briefly, before school for discussions with class teachers.  In addition we hold monthly open afternoons to provide an opportunity for parents to come into school to review their child’s work and talk with the teachers.  Other meetings are arranged at mutually convenient appointments.

 

 

The school produces fortnightly newsletters which aim to keep parents informed about school activities.  We welcome input from pupils, parents and the community in the newsletter and feel that this is an effective tool for the distribution of information.  In addition, there are occasions when notes / letters are sent home with the children and we ask that parents regularly check the children’s book bags etc. for correspondence.

 

 

We have a  noticeboard on the front of the building providing information about the school and local community events.  In the school entrance hall we have other information such as -  copies of our latest newsletters  (in case your does not arrive home!), Governor reports, PTA Meeting information, updates on curriculum issues and current legislation, general information and guidance.

 

 

The school policies are held in the school office and are available for inspection on request.

  

The School Facilities

 

The School Buildings

 

 

The main school building has two classrooms occupied by Class 1 (Years R 1 & 2) and Class 2A (Years 3 & 4) in the mornings.  The second classroom is also used for various activities in the afternoons.  A well stocked library, kitchen, resources room and staff rooms are also in the main building. Class 2 is in an Elliott classroom a few steps away—for Years 5 & 6 in the morning and for Years 3, 4, 5 & 6 in the afternoons.

 

The playground provides a netball court and areas for small games. The large Jubilee Field next to the playground is used regularly for sport, there is a running track, long jump sand pit, rounders pitch, netball grass court and a football pitch. In dry weather children enjoy using the field and large play equipment at playtimes.

 

Within the grounds we have a small garden, wildlife area and pond which Class 2 children are developing as part of their environmental curriculum studies this year.

The School operates a policy of access for disabled persons and has published a disability

 

access plan.

School Meals

 

We offer school meal cooked on site.  The present cost of a school meal is £1.70

  

 

Starting School

We welcome early links for young children and their parents with the school.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learning Together

 

 

We run a ‘Learning Together’ programme for our pre-school children, 3 – 4 years old.  Each Friday morning after half term parents are invited to bring their children to school to share in the Early Years classroom activities.  It is most important that your child’s first experience of school is a happy one and we aim to create a caring and happy atmosphere.

 

 

Registering Your Child at Trekenner

 

  

Before a child is registered with us, we encourage parents to come into school to meet the staff and see how the school operates.

 

Early years

Children may come to school part-time for two terms before they start full-time.  At present we offer this through morning sessions ( 9.00am  – 12.00pm ).  During their second part-time term we encourage the children to remain at school during the lunch break (having    either a school meal or packed lunch) to socialise with the other children.

 

Admission to School

 

 

Our admission policy is the standard one for primary schools in Cornwall in that we normally admit children for full-time education starting the term in which they have their fifth birthday. 

 

 

From September 2005, new regulations relating to the admissions of children to a reception class 

were introduced.   Parents are now required to complete and return an Application for

Primary School Placeform during the Autumn Term of the academic year preceding the child starting school.  During the following Spring term parents will be notified by the LEA of the outcome of their application.  Children whose birthday fall before 29th February of the school year that they are due to start, will commence full-time education in September.  Children whose birthdays fall after this date will have one term of part-time education, usually mornings.

 

 

 

School Times and Dates

 

 

The school’s session times are:-

 

 

 

         

 

	Start	Morning Break	Lunch Break	Afternoon Break	Finish
All Classes	09:00	10:35 – 10:50	12:00 – 1:00		3:15
KS1 only				2:30 – 2:45

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special arrangements may be made for children who are on school premises

 

before  8.45am .  Children travelling by school transport usually arrive between 8.40 and 8.50 a.m. If children’s transport is delayed in leaving in the afternoon, they will be supervised by a teacher or bus supervisor.  

During school hours children may not leave the school premises unless accompanied

 

by a parent, named person,  or a member of staff.  

 

 

 

School Transport

 

  

Transport to and from school is available for qualifying children. This is dependent upon distance between home and school.  All primary school children in Cornwall who  live 2 miles or more should be eligible.  This is a change in policy as previously children under 8 years old living 2 miles could qualify, but for children over 8 it was 3 miles. 

  Application forms and further  information may be obtained from either the school office or Mr D King, Transport Officer, District Education Office, Graylands, Dean  Street   Liskeard   PL14 4AZ

   

 

When we need to ask for financial contributions

 

 

From time to time we need to ask parents for voluntary contributions to cover the cost of trips made during school times.

 

 

Attendance on trips such as residential visits, and other trips outside school time are voluntary but chargeable at the full cost price.  We always try to keep costs to a minimum and provide information about costs to parents well in advance.  

 

 

 

Dress Code

  

We recommend that children come to school in the Trekenner colours of blue and white :-

 

·        Blue Trekenner  School sweatshirt (available through the school bulk purchase scheme)

 

·          White polo shirt with grey trousers, dress or skirt.