Headteacher's Welcome

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Highworth Combined School and Nursery’s website. I hope that here you will find a flavour of the vibrant, inclusive and thriving school that is Highworth.

Having joined the school as head in April 2017, I still feel new to the role (my predecessor established the school and then stayed for 21 years so perhaps you’ll understand why!). However, I am very familiar with Highworth School. I have been a parent, Chair of Highworth Friends, Learning Support Assistant, Student Teacher, Class Teacher and member of the Senior Leadership Team.  My association with the school, which started 20 years ago, has given me a deep understanding and appreciation of the values and ethos that make Highworth the very special place that it is.

The school community has worked together to define our ethos which is represented in the image of ‘The Highworth Carr’ shown below. These are the values that we hold dear, and which we will strive to develop in our pupils as they progress through our school.

It was pleasing to see this work reflected in our recent OFSTED report where the inspector wrote:

The school is passionate that all pupils will achieve highly.

They develop an understanding of the school’s values of ‘Curiosity, Achievement, Resilience and Relationships’. Pupils reflect these through being keen to learn, trying their best and working well with others.

A carefully considered, high-quality approach to pupils’ wider development prepares them thoroughly for life beyond Highworth.

They have positive attitudes towards difference and show empathy because they understand how life can be more challenging for some groups of people.

Across classes, behaviour is impeccable with pupils following instructions promptly and applying new learning swiftly. Around school, behaviour is courteous and considerate.

...attitudes reflect the strong ethos for positive behaviour across the school.

 

If, after looking at our website, you would like to visit the school in person, I would be delighted to show you around. I set aside time each week for prospective parents and to arrange a visit you need simply contact our school secretary, who will arrange an appointment.

 

Mrs Clare Pankhania