Year One pupils from Redstart Primary School have enjoyed a truly memorable and enriching day at Magdalen Farm.
Blessed with glorious sunshine, pupils explored the natural surroundings and got hands-on with farm life.
Surrounded by blooming flowers, fresh produce, and friendly farm animals – including pigs, cows, goats, and chickens – pupils embraced the opportunity to get back to nature.
During the visit, pupils fed the animals, sampled new and exciting tastes, went pond dipping, and even created their own delicious pizzas using fresh ingredients.
A school spokesperson said: “The children were so fantastic and represented our school so well, we had the best time.”
The day was a perfect blend of education and fun, helping to bring classroom learning to life in a vibrant, outdoor setting.
Year Two pupils from Redstart Primary School enjoyed a wonderful day of sunshine, sea air, and discovery during a recent visit to Lyme Regis, West Dorset – a stunning part of England’s Jurassic Coast.
Pupils explored the famous shingle beach, soaking up the fresh seaside air while enjoying packed lunches with spectacular sea views.
The day was filled with excitement and learning as pupils delved into the story of Mary Anning, the pioneering 19th-century palaeontologist and fossil collector who once walked the same shoreline in search of ancient treasures.
The visit offered pupils a hands-on glimpse into Britain’s rich geological history and inspired a spirit of curiosity and adventure.
A school spokesperson said: “It was a magical day for our Year Two pupils – full of sunshine, laughter, and discovery.
“Walking in the footsteps of Mary Anning really brought the curriculum to life, and the children loved every minute of it.”
A talented group of Year 5 poets from Redstart Primary School were honoured to be invited to the Guildhall by the organisation Never Such Innocence to present their original poetry on the theme of D-Day, as part of the 81st anniversary commemorations.
Pupils shared their moving and thoughtful pieces with an esteemed audience that included Adam Dance MP, Victoria Bates, Mayor of Chard, and Lady Lucy French OBE, the founder of Never Such Innocence. The organisation is dedicated to giving children and young people across the world a voice on the topic of conflict.
Our young poets represented Redstart Primary School with great pride and maturity. Their creative and emotive poetry highlighted both their understanding of the historical significance of D-Day and their ability to express powerful emotions through the written word.
A school spokesperson said: “Our pupils were fantastic ambassadors for Redstart.
“We are incredibly proud of their maturity, confidence, and the creativity they demonstrated through their poetry.
“Opportunities like this give our students a real sense of the importance of remembrance and the power of their own voices.”
High expectations and an ambitious curriculum have helped The Redstart Primary School in Chard retain its ‘Good’ Ofsted rating.
According to the education watchdog, a culture of ‘mutual trust’ and students who embody the school values of ‘respect, kindness, perseverance, and honesty’ have kept the primary school’s standards high.
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A culture of ‘mutual trust’ and pupils who exemplify school values of ‘respect, kindness, perseverance and honesty’ have seen The Redstart Primary School maintain the standards which earned it a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted, according to inspectors.
A team from the education watchdog spent two days assessing the Chard school, during which time they met leaders from the school and its parent trust, spoke with parents and pupils, and carried out a ‘deep dive’ into a number of subject areas.
Although the visit was an ungraded inspection, Ofsted concluded Redstart has ‘taken effective action’ to maintain the standards which earned the school a ‘Good’ rating previously.
Inspectors heaped praise upon the school’s ‘high expectations’ and ‘ambitious curriculum’, as well as the positive behaviour of students and the ‘strong’ opportunities for personal development.
In his report, lead inspector James Gentile said: “The Redstart Primary School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.
“Pupils across the school consistently exemplify the values of the ‘Redstart way’: respect, kindness, perseverance and honesty.
“Pupils behave well and have a strong commitment to learning. The high expectations set by school leaders and staff are embraced by pupils, who respond positively and achieve well.”
The report went on to praise Redstart’s provision in a number of key areas.
On pupils’ wellbeing, Ofsted said: “Relationships between pupils and staff are characterised by mutual trust and respect. Pupils report that they feel confident in seeking support from the safeguarding team. They also use the worry boxes in classrooms if they have any concerns. Pupils are assured that their worries will be taken seriously by staff.”
On curriculum and learning, it said: “The school offers an ambitious curriculum that is well structured, enabling pupils to learn skills and build knowledge progressively.
“School leaders are reflective and consistently seek ways to enhance the curriculum design. Staff possess strong subject knowledge. This ensures that the delivery of the curriculum aligns with the high expectations set by leaders. As a result, pupils achieve well.”
On SEND provision, the report said: “Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) access the same highquality curriculum as their peers.
“Highly-trained staff support pupils with SEND and identify their specific needs. Additionally, the school collaborates well with external agencies when specialist support is required. Consequently, pupils with SEND receive strong support and achieve well.”
And on pupil development, it said: “The provision for pupils’ personal development is a strength of the school. Pupils have a wealth of opportunities to build confidence and character. For example, all Year 6 pupils take on roles of responsibility such as house captains, librarians or science ambassadors.
“Older pupils know they are role models to younger peers. They take these roles seriously and proudly support younger pupils.”
Inspectors offered further praise for Redstart’s ‘effective’ safeguarding, the ‘positive and mutually respectful relationships’ which ensure behaviour and attendance are good, and the ‘enriching experiences’ Redstart provides through its strong community links.
Ofsted’s findings have been welcomed by leaders at The Redstart Primary School, and its parent trust The Cabot Learning Federation.
Rebecca Collins, Principal at The Redstart Primary School, said:
“I am so proud of the work my team have put in to ensure that Redstart remains a great place to both work and learn. The energy and commitment invested by the staff at Redstart to ensure our children are well supported and successful every day is wonderful and I am delighted to be a part of this fabulous team.”
Steve Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of the Cabot Learning Federation, said:
“Everyone in the Cabot Learning Federation is delighted with the news that inspectors confirmed Redstart continues to offer such a strong educational provision to children in Chard. Congratulations to Rebecca Collins and all of our colleagues at the school; a great team doing their best to serve the local community.”
Year 1 pupils at Redstart Primary School enjoyed a fabulous, sunny morning immersed in nature as they took their learning outdoors for a creative session in the meadow.
Armed with sketchpads and pencils, pupils explored the meadow’s vibrant flora, capturing the beauty of plants and flowers through careful observation and delicate sketching.
This session gave pupils a chance to develop their artistic skills, paying close attention to the unique shapes of petals and the intricate details of leaves.
A school spokesperson said: “This was a wonderful opportunity for our pupils to connect with the natural world and build new skills in a hands-on, engaging way.
“Being outside in the fresh air, surrounded by nature, not only inspires creativity but also enhances wellbeing and focus.”
Year 5 pupils from Redstart Primary School recently had an extraordinary educational experience at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, where they explored the rich history of naval aviation and got up close with iconic aircraft.
The Fleet Air Arm Museum, the largest naval aviation museum in Europe, features four exhibition halls that showcase the evolution of flight, from historic aircraft to cutting-edge technology.
During their visit, pupils toured the museum’s vast collection, which includes more than 90 aircraft, two million historical records, and 30,000 artefacts.
One of the highlights of the trip was touring inside the very first world-famous Concorde, a marvel of aviation engineering that continues to captivate audiences.
Adding to the immersive experience, pupils had the opportunity to dress in Fleet Air Arm uniforms, bringing history to life as they imagined the roles of naval aviators throughout the years.
A spokesperson said: “It was incredible to see our pupils so engaged and inspired by the exhibits,”
“The hands-on learning experience really helped bring history to life, and I know this trip will leave a lasting impression on them.”
Year 3 pupils at Redstart Primary School showcased their creativity and musical talent as they composed their own pieces of music in an inspiring outdoor session.
Taking advantage of the sunny weather, pupils played their mini glockenspiels outside, experimenting with melodies and rhythms to create a diverse range of compositions.
The session not only encouraged musical exploration but also fostered teamwork and confidence in performance.
A spokesperson said: “We are incredibly proud of our pupils for their enthusiasm and creativity.
“It was wonderful to see them engaged in the composition process and enjoying music-making in such a relaxed and inspiring setting.”
Pupils at Redstart Primary School recently stepped into the world of filmmaking as they took part in an exciting project for the upcoming Chard together event, the ‘Festival of Friendship,’ scheduled for Saturday, 22nd March.
A huge thank you goes to Richard Tomlinson, who generously dedicated his time and expertise to guide the pupils through the filmmaking process. Richard Tomlinson is working with the Chard Community Hub – he’s a freelance film-maker.
Pupils had a fascinating morning learning about the various elements involved in producing a film, from camera techniques to sound recording and directing.
The hands-on experience provided invaluable insights into the creative world of filmmaking.
“We can’t wait to see the results!” said a school spokesperson. “The children were incredibly enthusiastic, and this opportunity has sparked a real interest in storytelling and visual media.”
The completed film will debut at the Festival of Friendship, an event designed to celebrate community connections and togetherness.
The Academy encourages everyone to come along and support the talented pupils of Redstart Primary School as they showcase their creative achievements.
Pupils at Redstart Primary School enjoyed an unforgettable day of sports training with Paralympic triathlete David Hill.
The renowned athlete engaged with pupils, sharing his journey and expertise while encouraging them to push their limits and embrace new challenges.
David Hill’s visit was truly inspirational, leaving a lasting impact on both pupils and staff. His motivational approach and hands-on training session gave pupils the opportunity to experience the dedication and perseverance required in professional sports.
A spokesperson for the school said: “It was an incredible experience for our pupils to train alongside David Hill. His story, determination, and positive attitude were truly inspiring.
“Pupils were engaged, enthusiastic, and gave their all during the session.
“We are grateful for this opportunity and hope it will encourage our pupils to pursue their own dreams with the same passion and commitment.”
