WELCOME
West Dartmoor Federation
St Christopher’s Multi-Academy Trust – Parent Consultation
The formal consultation period started with a meeting for parents and carers of both schools on Wednesday 25th May at 6pm in St Paul’s Church, Yelverton. Consultation ends on 6th July.
For information about the Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) see the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Notes from the Parent & Carer Multi-Academy Trust Meeting
If you have any other questions or require further information send an email to clerk@westdartmoor.org.uk or complete and submit the form on the Contact page.
West Dartmoor Federation was formed in 2012 with the coming together of Meavy VA Primary School and Lady Modiford’s VA School, Walkhampton to build on the strengths and expertise in both Church schools. The name ‘West Dartmoor Federation” was chosen to reinforce the already close ties with the churches of the West Dartmoor Mission Community and in particular St Peter’s Meavy and St Mary the Virgin Walkhampton.
Originally conceived of as a dual headship Federation this was quickly transformed following the retirement of Mrs Sue Blair as head teacher at Meavy and saw the appointment of Mr Gavin Hamilton as Executive Head of both schools: senior teachers were appointed at both sites to head up the teaching and learning.
The newly formed governing body has worked very hard to lead the transition into Federation status. This has seen staff gradually working across both sites to bring with them their specialist skills for the benefit of all the children in the Federation and the continuing development of a collegial approach. There is a strong Christian ethos in both schools, which is supported by staff, parents, local clergy and the governing body. Everyone is working hard to deliver the very best we can offer for the children in our schools.
The governors are rightly proud, but not complacent, and strive for excellence.
A message from the Executive Head, Gavin Hamilton
I am delighted to welcome you to the West Dartmoor Federation site. Everyone in the local community appreciates the work of the schools while the commitment of the staff, parents and governors means that I feel honoured and very proud to be the Executive Head of these two vibrant and exciting schools, schools which share the same ethos while each retains its separate identity.
The staff, governors and I do not work in a vacuum; we rely on the support of you, the parents and carers, to encourage the children to maximise their educational possibilities, to help to create “Learners for Life”.
Our children learn from a curriculum which is rich and varied with after school clubs and visits out onto the Moor. Teaching is not just classroom based as learning has to include everything with which the children will come into contact.
We work hard to make sure that children settle well into the school as well as at all transition points and believe that each transition, home to pre-school to Foundation to each Key Stage, should motivate and challenge the children. We know that our children enjoy their time with us as many of our Past pupils come back to visit, to help out at charity events and talk about the happy times they have spent here.
Home and School is an important partnership and keeping our lines of communication open is important for everyone. We hope that you will find the information you want about us, that it is clear and that we regularly keep you informed about what we are doing and hope to achieve.
Gavin Hamilton
THE SCHOOL DAY
Lady Modiford’s, Walkhampton and Meavy Primary Schools have the same start and end times.
Lady Modiford’s Start of school day 8.45am End of school day 3pm
Meavy Start of school day 8.45am End of school day 3pm
Both school are fortunate to have a great deal of parental support and both have active PTAs. At Lady Modiford’s there is the Friends of Lady Modifords, FoLM, and at Meavy there is the Parent, Teachers and Friends Association, Meavy PTFA. If you would like to take a more active role in either organisation please contact the schools.
