Dunster School opening its doors for parents to look around

Mr James will host an open morning on Wednesday (January 11) from 9 am to 10 am, followed by an open evening between 6 pm and 7 pm.

Dunster is part of the Moorland Federation, a group ‘with a shared passion for educating the whole child’ which also includes first schools in Porlock, Exford, Cutcombe, and Timberscombe.

Mr James said the federation meant pupils and staff strategically benefited from a wider educational family.

He said the school enjoyed working collaboratively with all the other schools across West Somerset and many beyond – with the furthest link being in Peru.

Mr James said: “We are incredibly lucky having access to such a wonderful surrounding area, from the stunning local woodland and moorland, to the heritage of the castle with the beach and Bristol Channel falling to the other side of us.

“These outdoor areas form a huge part of our learning, with every class having access to half-a-day outdoor learning a week to utilise our outdoor environment.”

Mr James said the school last autumn led the village Remembrance service in the Memorial Hall, took part in the community’s Christmas bazaar with the choir singing a selection of carols, and year four children performed a brass concert and helped to lead the annual Dunster by Candlelight parade.

The school also had an award-winning eco team who worked closely with local people to help keep forests, moorland, and beaches in the best possible condition.

There was an active student parliament with a head boy and head girl, and sport was an important part of the school’s tradition both locally and across Somerset.

“Music and the arts are very important to us and we try to give the children as many opportunities as possible,”

“We ensure a wide variety of experiences for every child in order for them to find ‘their element’ and succeed.”

Mr James said a Friends of Dunster School group, which was still looking for new members, worked extensively on key community events, and had raised £4,000 from the traditional advent fair which would help enrich the children’s curriculum and maintain the school’s swimming pool.

The Moorland Federation recently won apprentice employer of the month and we had become the first educational establishment to be recognised as an ‘includability committed employer’.

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