Hello and welcome to Black Torrington Primary School!

We may be one of the smallest schools in Devon, but we aim to be one of the best. We are a Church of England Controlled school and maintain many links with our local church, which is also our neighbour. We have access to the church at any time (services permitting) and use it for Harvest, Christingle service, Christmas play, Easter, the Leavers’ Service as well as at other times. We have two classes with, at present, 15 full time children on roll. Our staffing compliment comprises a .6 teaching Head and 3 part time teaching staff.  One Mealtime Assistant, a caretaker, part time classroom assistant and part time administrator. We believe in fostering positive attitudes to learning. One way in which we effect this is in our merit system, which rewards: good behaviour, politeness, helpfulness and good effort, as well as high academic achievement. You can find out more about our school by going to the Prospectus page. We offer a broad and balanced curriculum including extra – curricular activities. We participate in sporting events with other schools as well as visits to enhance our teaching and learning. Here are a few of the events or visits in which we participated over the academic year 2002 – 2003: Easter hat competition, an Indian morning (geography and RE), Plymouth Argyle football coaching, basketball coaching, tag rugby tournament, Roadford reservoir (science), Widemouth Bay (geography), Burton art gallery (art and history), athletics competition with other local schools, fun sports day organised by the year sixes with a neighbouring school, a field trip to study a local river (geography), our own school sports day comprising both cooperative and competitive races, end of year trip to a local leisure park. In addition, we believe in supporting charitable events wherever possible, for example: Red Nose Day, Jeans for Genes, Operation Christmas Child, UNICEF Children in Iraq appeal. Our extra – curricular activities vary from term to term and include: recorders, sport and art/craft. We have a very supportive PTFA – their help and support is invaluable. Find out more about them on the PTFA page. We would be delighted to hear from you should you wish your child to attend our friendly little school. Janet Coopey Headteacher

Art Club Native American Indian Culture In the Spring Term the Art and Craft Club have been looking at the life and culture of the North American Native Indians. They have had a great time producing all sorts of works of art and craft on this theme. Tepees, totem poles, dream catchers and sand painting are just a few of their many creations. TAKE A LOOK!! tepees totem poles cradle boards sand painting parfleche containers dream catchers quilled arrow bags with beads Recent Work Last week the Reverend Cathy Roberts came into school to talk to Class 2 about the importance of colour in Christian religious beliefs. It was part of their R.E. studies into ‘How do people express their faith through the arts?’ She brought with her examples of religious clothing known as vestments. The Reverend showed and also talked to us about all her vestments. These included the cassock, the surplice, the alb, the girdle, the dog collar, the stole and the chasuble. She also told us about the Bishop’s hat that is called a mitre. It is in the shape of a flame representing the fire of the Holy Spirit. Many of the vestments had really beautiful embroidery.       A year 6 volunteered to put on the alb which is an abbreviation for alba tunica, white tunic. The pictures below are of different stoles in different colours. Green means an ordinary time of growing. Red means blood to represent when the followers of Christ died. Purple means to remind us of our sins. It is used before Easter and Christmas. White means purity and is used on special Sundays and Christmas. Here are some of the beautifully embroidered stoles that the Reverend uses on special occasions. The white floral one is used for weddings, baptisms and in the spring. Some stoles have an upside down cross because Peter refused to be crucified in the same way as Jesus. In these photographs our model is wearing a chasuble over the alb and stole. We think this design looks like the cross in front of the light of the world. The design is spectacular!!!! All of her clothes are her own belongings and sometimes her parishioners buy them for her. We all enjoyed the talk and her visit. Some of the class would have liked to have tried them on too but the year 6 boy was chosen because he was the tallest. A recount by Class 2