OFFWELL CofE PRIMARY SCHOOL, Ramsden Lane, Offwell, Honiton, EX14 9SA
Website: www.offwell-primary.devon.sch.uk Email: [email protected]
Tel. 01404 831417
Website: www.offwell-primary.devon.sch.uk Email: [email protected]
Tel. 01404 831417
Welcome to Offwell School. Since 1840, through major conflicts and global pandemics, our school has been educating the children of Offwell, Honiton and the surrounding villages of Wilmington, Cotleigh, Northleigh and beyond. We uphold a strong tradition of providing a high quality education, with care for each child, in a tranquil, rural location.
Offwell School is easily accessible from Honiton and surrounding villages - being just 2.7miles (6 minutes) up the A35 from Honiton - yet we are in the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We nestle in the heart of Offwell village, near the Village Hall, opposite St Mary’s Church and at the top of the quiet country lane which leads to Offwell Woods.
We are uniquely fortunate to have such close links within our local community with our proximity to all Offwell Village has to offer. Being only 10 minutes’ walk from Offwell Woods means regular Welly Walks and access to either of the two well-equipped log cabins, provided by The Offwell Woodland and Wildlife Trust and the Forestry Commission, which we use for outdoor lessons and wildlife observations, with the run of the woods, fields, streams and ponds for our studies. Using our trained staff, we engage in a range of activities from den building, fire-lighting and pond-dipping, as well as orienteering and conservation.
Offwell School is easily accessible from Honiton and surrounding villages - being just 2.7miles (6 minutes) up the A35 from Honiton - yet we are in the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We nestle in the heart of Offwell village, near the Village Hall, opposite St Mary’s Church and at the top of the quiet country lane which leads to Offwell Woods.
We are uniquely fortunate to have such close links within our local community with our proximity to all Offwell Village has to offer. Being only 10 minutes’ walk from Offwell Woods means regular Welly Walks and access to either of the two well-equipped log cabins, provided by The Offwell Woodland and Wildlife Trust and the Forestry Commission, which we use for outdoor lessons and wildlife observations, with the run of the woods, fields, streams and ponds for our studies. Using our trained staff, we engage in a range of activities from den building, fire-lighting and pond-dipping, as well as orienteering and conservation.
School Highlights 2023
January – Youth Speaks
Throughout 2023 Years 4, 5 and 6 took part in public speaking team events as part of ‘Youth Speaks’, the first since the pandemic. All teams performed excellently and to everyone’s delight the Year 6 team came first with their chosen subject ‘Plastic Pollution in the Oceans’.
February – PTFA Star Gazing Event
It was a clear night and the children enjoyed telescope and star crafts, star stories in the cosy corner, toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate. Revd. Jeremy and other Offwell residents brought their telescopes for the children to use. Simon Ould from Space Odyssey helped everyone navigate the night skies and understand that stargazing is looking back in time.
March – Choral Singing at Exeter Cathedral
In March five East Devon schools, including Offwell, performed together with the Exeter Choristers at Exeter Cathedral. Fifteen Year 5 and Year 6 children also performed their song (a mix of Blinded/I Am Light by Stormzy/India Arle) before a packed Cathedral audience which included parents, carers, relatives and friends. All the staff felt very proud of the resilience and confidence displayed by all the children.
March/April - Easter Egg display in St. Mary’s Church
The egg is a symbol of new life and throughout history people across the world have given each other eggs at spring festivals to mark the seasons. During the Spring Term and Easter school holidays an artwork display of brilliantly coloured eggs by Offwell school children was on view in St. Mary’s Church, together with egg facts and traditions researched by the children themselves.
Throughout 2023 Years 4, 5 and 6 took part in public speaking team events as part of ‘Youth Speaks’, the first since the pandemic. All teams performed excellently and to everyone’s delight the Year 6 team came first with their chosen subject ‘Plastic Pollution in the Oceans’.
February – PTFA Star Gazing Event
It was a clear night and the children enjoyed telescope and star crafts, star stories in the cosy corner, toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate. Revd. Jeremy and other Offwell residents brought their telescopes for the children to use. Simon Ould from Space Odyssey helped everyone navigate the night skies and understand that stargazing is looking back in time.
March – Choral Singing at Exeter Cathedral
In March five East Devon schools, including Offwell, performed together with the Exeter Choristers at Exeter Cathedral. Fifteen Year 5 and Year 6 children also performed their song (a mix of Blinded/I Am Light by Stormzy/India Arle) before a packed Cathedral audience which included parents, carers, relatives and friends. All the staff felt very proud of the resilience and confidence displayed by all the children.
March/April - Easter Egg display in St. Mary’s Church
The egg is a symbol of new life and throughout history people across the world have given each other eggs at spring festivals to mark the seasons. During the Spring Term and Easter school holidays an artwork display of brilliantly coloured eggs by Offwell school children was on view in St. Mary’s Church, together with egg facts and traditions researched by the children themselves.
May/June - Coronation of Charles III
Before the Easter holidays the children in Oak Class also began their research into the history of the Coronation ceremony of King Charles III. When the children returned after the Easter break they had only two weeks to complete their Coronation display which was on view during June in St. Mary’s Church. Oak Class were inspired by being shown three pieces of memorabilia from Queen Elizabeth II’s crowning in 1953. One was a miniature replica of the Coronation Spoon, used to anoint the new monarch with holy oil; another was a copy of the order of service for the ceremony and finally a model of the Coronation Chair, made by order of Edward I and brought to Westminster Abbey in 1296.
Before the Easter holidays the children in Oak Class also began their research into the history of the Coronation ceremony of King Charles III. When the children returned after the Easter break they had only two weeks to complete their Coronation display which was on view during June in St. Mary’s Church. Oak Class were inspired by being shown three pieces of memorabilia from Queen Elizabeth II’s crowning in 1953. One was a miniature replica of the Coronation Spoon, used to anoint the new monarch with holy oil; another was a copy of the order of service for the ceremony and finally a model of the Coronation Chair, made by order of Edward I and brought to Westminster Abbey in 1296.
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July - Torbay & Devon Civic Awards
In July eleven Year 6 children celebrated the successful completion of their year-long work towards the Torbay & Devon Civic Award.
Participants needed to complete activities in seven areas including Active Citizenship in the school and local community; physical and non-physical hobbies; attending a school residential; supporting their chosen charity (which ranged from Devon Air Ambulance to Tiny Tickers) and making a Pledge to the Planet, a song and video that was played at the Awards Ceremony, much to the delight of the children.
July - 500 Word Writing Competition
This year saw the introduction of a new writing competition for KS2 children. There were 13 entrants with the winner and runner up receiving a £50 and £20 Waterstone’s Gift Card. A full appraisal of the winning entrants and those highly commended can be found on the school newsletter for 21st July 2023.
July/August - Oak Class make their own medieval stained glass
Following their success with King Charles III Coronation display Oak Class turned their attention this summer to learning about the history of medieval church stained glass windows and producing their own facsimilies. The children were inspired by the medieval window in the south wall of the Chancel at St. Mary’s which contains fragments of ancient stained glass from the 14th century.
The stained glass exhibition remained on view at St. Mary’s over the summer holidays.
In July eleven Year 6 children celebrated the successful completion of their year-long work towards the Torbay & Devon Civic Award.
Participants needed to complete activities in seven areas including Active Citizenship in the school and local community; physical and non-physical hobbies; attending a school residential; supporting their chosen charity (which ranged from Devon Air Ambulance to Tiny Tickers) and making a Pledge to the Planet, a song and video that was played at the Awards Ceremony, much to the delight of the children.
July - 500 Word Writing Competition
This year saw the introduction of a new writing competition for KS2 children. There were 13 entrants with the winner and runner up receiving a £50 and £20 Waterstone’s Gift Card. A full appraisal of the winning entrants and those highly commended can be found on the school newsletter for 21st July 2023.
July/August - Oak Class make their own medieval stained glass
Following their success with King Charles III Coronation display Oak Class turned their attention this summer to learning about the history of medieval church stained glass windows and producing their own facsimilies. The children were inspired by the medieval window in the south wall of the Chancel at St. Mary’s which contains fragments of ancient stained glass from the 14th century.
The stained glass exhibition remained on view at St. Mary’s over the summer holidays.
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November – Wire poppies for Remembrance
In 2018 as part of Offwell’s 1918 Centenary Exhibition the school children made ceramic poppies that are still displayed under the West Window in St.Mary’s.
This year the children will be making wire poppies to be attached to the 1914-1918 church memorial gates in time for this year’s Remembrance Service.
NB. Go to the weekly newsletters page on the Offwell Primary School website for regular updates on all school activities.
In 2018 as part of Offwell’s 1918 Centenary Exhibition the school children made ceramic poppies that are still displayed under the West Window in St.Mary’s.
This year the children will be making wire poppies to be attached to the 1914-1918 church memorial gates in time for this year’s Remembrance Service.
NB. Go to the weekly newsletters page on the Offwell Primary School website for regular updates on all school activities.
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December - Carol Concert
In December Offwell School ended the Autumn Term with a Carol Concert held in St. Mary’s Church. Mr. Thomas, Senior Teacher and Curriculum Lead for Religious Education, identified an interesting book ‘Bethlehem Carols Unpacked’ which helped us create a very meaningful concert.
The book included some interesting background information about the carols we chose which helped us deepen the meaning and give the children, particularly the older children, greater knowledge.
We explored the meaning behind ‘Silent Night’ and included some drama which the children enjoyed performing. Many of the children gave readings – some from the pulpit – and they all learnt the words to the carols so there were no prompts or rustling of sheets. The concert finished with a more modern carol ‘The Angels Knew’. All in all it was a very enjoyable and meaningful concert enjoyed by children, parents and staff alike.
In December Offwell School ended the Autumn Term with a Carol Concert held in St. Mary’s Church. Mr. Thomas, Senior Teacher and Curriculum Lead for Religious Education, identified an interesting book ‘Bethlehem Carols Unpacked’ which helped us create a very meaningful concert.
The book included some interesting background information about the carols we chose which helped us deepen the meaning and give the children, particularly the older children, greater knowledge.
We explored the meaning behind ‘Silent Night’ and included some drama which the children enjoyed performing. Many of the children gave readings – some from the pulpit – and they all learnt the words to the carols so there were no prompts or rustling of sheets. The concert finished with a more modern carol ‘The Angels Knew’. All in all it was a very enjoyable and meaningful concert enjoyed by children, parents and staff alike.
Offwell School, despite its long history, continues to evolve. We are outward looking, creative, inclusive, and have high aspirations for our children. From the original classroom, with its elegant, barrel-vaulted ceiling and wonderful gothic, arched doorways, we have grown into four classrooms, in three buildings. These are linked by landscaped playground areas, all of which have individual characters. Tucked away, facing out to fields behind the school, we have our own meadow and ever popular trim trail.
Obviously, a school with such a long history has had to skilfully adapt to the many changes encountered over 180 years, yet we have remained, unusually, that rare thing: a stand-alone school, with our own Headteacher. This means we can be responsive to the needs of our families, the curriculum and our vision. Over the last year we have become skilled at using our online learning platform (Google Classroom) to provide an excellent combination of face to face contact, through assemblies for the whole school, live and video lessons for each class and small groups, as well as being able to link to the world, with live links to zoos and parliament, for example. We continue to differentiate the work and support we provide for all children, challenging and supporting as required for each child.
Obviously, a school with such a long history has had to skilfully adapt to the many changes encountered over 180 years, yet we have remained, unusually, that rare thing: a stand-alone school, with our own Headteacher. This means we can be responsive to the needs of our families, the curriculum and our vision. Over the last year we have become skilled at using our online learning platform (Google Classroom) to provide an excellent combination of face to face contact, through assemblies for the whole school, live and video lessons for each class and small groups, as well as being able to link to the world, with live links to zoos and parliament, for example. We continue to differentiate the work and support we provide for all children, challenging and supporting as required for each child.
Offwell School is more than the sum of its parts, but it has four main strengths:
We want to show off our school, a challenging proposition at the moment, so we are grateful for this opportunity to remind our local population of one of the best kept secrets in East Devon: Offwell School. We are proudly continuing the tradition of education started by Bishop Copleston so long ago, but we are most excited about the future of our school. Keep an eye on our website for up to date information and feel free to ring the school and have a chat about any spaces we have; you are guaranteed a warm welcome, even on the chilliest Spring day!
We would love to hear from you so please feel free to contact Mrs Legg to find out more.
March 2021
- Our children. The children at Offwell School are caring, resourceful, humorous, confident individuals, who know they are valued and love learning.
- Our families. Parents and carers have been incredibly supportive, providing that safe, nurturing environment which enables us to achieve our vision for every child to Be Well; Learn Well and Live Well.
- Village community. We are well supported by the village community in Offwell and we are grateful for their warmth, support, suggestions and consideration.
- Our staff. We are led by an inspirational head teacher, Mrs Lorna Legg, who provides a clear path for us to follow combined with kindness and humour. Mrs Legg is hugely proud of the staff she leads, all of whom are experienced and committed to providing a first class education for each and every child in the school.
We want to show off our school, a challenging proposition at the moment, so we are grateful for this opportunity to remind our local population of one of the best kept secrets in East Devon: Offwell School. We are proudly continuing the tradition of education started by Bishop Copleston so long ago, but we are most excited about the future of our school. Keep an eye on our website for up to date information and feel free to ring the school and have a chat about any spaces we have; you are guaranteed a warm welcome, even on the chilliest Spring day!
We would love to hear from you so please feel free to contact Mrs Legg to find out more.
March 2021
