Hatch Beauchamp Church of England , Voluntary Controlled, Primary School was established in 1853 and is a co-educational day school for children aged four to eleven years, maintained by the Somerset Local Authority (LA).

As a Church of England School, we maintain close links with St John the Baptist Church , Hatch Beauchamp, organising visits and supporting events throughout the year.

Our School currently has 46 children on the roll offering excellent interaction between teacher and child in their formative years. There are two classes, Foundation stage/Key Stage One (Reception, Years 1-2) and Key Stage Two (Years 3-6). Arrangements are in place to support any child with special educational needs. Our school attracts children from Hatch Beauchamp and surrounding villages.

We have three main school buildings on site. The Key Stage Two (Junior) classroom, administration and Headteacher's office are based in the historic old school house. Two separate, newer buildings house the Key Stage One (Infant) classroom, library and staff room. Our assembly/dining room is shared with our on-site Playgroup. Recent internal improvements have included interactive whiteboards in both classrooms and permanent IT desks enabling PC systems to be accessible at all times.

Outside, our playground provides for a wide variety of sports and activities and our grassed areas - including the environmental and pond area and bird nesting area - offer children a place to explore and observe nature in action. Recent additions have included a covered area with additional play equipment outside the key stage one building, enabling us to give outdoor learning opportunities in all weather. Our living willow sculpture seating area was planted by the children in 2007.

We aim to:

•  Offer a happy, secure and stimulating learning environment in which children can grow and develop to their full potential, proud of their achievements.

•  Help children to live and develop together and to become responsible and independent regardless of their ethnic background, disability, religion or lifestyle.

•  Encourage a love of learning and a desire for understanding through a broad and balanced academic education appropriate to the world today based on the needs of the individual child.

•  Serve the community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. Encouraging an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith, and promoting Christian values through the experience it offers to all its pupils.

•  Maintain and support a strong partnership with parents and carers, the church and the wider community.

•  To maintain our status as a “ Healthy School ” and foster an awareness of the benefits of a health school lifestyle.

•  Ensure that equal opportunity and inclusion are embedded in all our school values.

Our School is a Voluntary Controlled School , this means the buildings were originally provided by the Church of England, who today are represented on the Governing body. The teaching staff are in sympathy with the Christian faith as expressed by the Church of England and we maintain close links with our Parish Church and the Diocese of Bath and Wells.

Religious education is taught according to the Somerset agreed syllabus and developed in consultation with local churches. It develops a knowledge and understanding of Christianity, whilst raising awareness of and tolerance for other religions. A curriculum framework for religious education is based on a rolling programme. Children meet daily for an act of collective worship during assembly. We also take children to St John's the Baptist Church in the village on a regular basis, both for services and to study aspects of the buildings and their traditions.

Year 6 children visit Wells in July for the Diocesan Gathering for all Church of England Year 6 leavers. We also hold our own Year 6 leavers' service at St John's and the children are presented with a Bible.

We respect the rights of all parents who may wish to withdraw their children from the daily act of worship or from religious education lessons. Any parent wishing to do so can contact the Headteacher. We will endeavour to help and support in arranging any alternative provision.

Our community involvement is an important and well-established part of school life and we like to think our community programme is flexible and responsive to new ideas.

Parents and other members of the community come into classes to share their experience and knowledge with the children. They lead groups in learning various skills, show slides, share memories, or talk about a particular subject.

Our children go out into the community for activities such as environmental studies, studying the village, church services and entertaining residents of the residential nursing home.

The community is made aware of school activities through the Parish magazine and village notice boards.