Welcome To Gatehouse

Snow Update - January 8th 2010

Thank you to everyone for your patience during the current bad weather. We do not make the decision to close the school lightly and try to let everyone know as soon as is possible.

We appreciate that parents and carers need information as soon as possible each day and try to decide about school closure by 8am. We have managed to get two people into school office each morning to answer phones but as you can imaging when 300 families try to all ring at once, this is very fraught.

Gatehouse is a large primary school for children aged 4 to 11. We work hard to ensure that all of our children are provided with a good education.

Parents tell us that we are a calm, relaxed, hard working and welcoming school. They feel  we provide all children with a safe, secure and warm environment for learning. Our whole school staff is dedicated and hard working and we are very well supported by an active School Association and Governing body.

The school can take up to 60 children in each year group, currently organised in two parallel classes of 30 or less. Each year parents of children who are due to start school for the first time apply to the Local Authority for a place at the school, the closing date for the next round of applications is 22nd January 2009 (extended due to the bad weather). Applications can be made at www.devon.gov.uk/admissionsonline

Choosing your child’s school is a big decision and can be quite daunting. We regularly show parents around the school during the day, to give them a better understanding of how the school works. For the last three years we have been working to develop the school’s building and grounds. We are currently completing a total reroof of the school and the redevelopment of a large internal space to provide high quality learning spaces. Once this work is completed we will be inviting local pre-school providers to tender to move onto the school site.

We regularly welcome new pupils into school throughout the year; we currently have a few spaces in some year groups. Our children have written a short information book for new pupils giving information on the school from their perspective. Children quickly settle in to Gatehouse and make friends easily. Pupils joining the school from abroad are supported in learning English, gaining confidence daily.

If you would like to arrange a visit please contact the office. This headteacher will show you around the school, including the Foundation class, the first class your child will enter. This will enable you to see our children working, have time to discuss any questions you may have and give you all the information you need in deciding if this is the school for you.