Welcome to Orchard Grove Primary School 

On 6 September 2023, Orchard Grove opened its doors for the first time to their Reception cohort, with the unique experience of it being within their sister school, IKB in Wellington. We have now moved into our fabulous new building in Taunton and were delighted to welcome our new and existing pupils. Orchard Grove is also the first carbon neutral school in Somerset.

Orchard Grove School is based on the Orchard Grove development and children have the added advantage of the school being part of the Blackdown Education Partnership. A place at Orchard Grove also gives pupils a priority place at The Castle School in Taunton.

We strive to ensure that every single child in our care achieves, belongs and participates in learning, enrichment and the community. Pastoral support is exemplary in ensuring that barriers to learning are removed, that children participate and feel valued for their own intrinsic worth.

 Building on the strong relationship we will have developed at Orchard Grove’s Nursery, we will mirror this system in the primary school. The school is a key support for parents in bringing up their child/ren and as a school, we will advocate the values and principles that we have embedded in our curriculum so that parents are strengthened and informed about parenting and how to support their child best. We place strong significance on the partnership between the child, the family and the school.

Early Years provision forms the bedrock of our children’s outstanding education and personal development. Children will leave Reception class with a sense of themselves as both individuals, and as part of their own community.

 Kindling the interest and igniting the spark of enthusiasm is the key to engendering real learning. Securing children’s commitment to their own learning is a vital part of our vision. In the Trust, we work for the children; they know this, and we foster the belief that they work for themselves and not to please their teachers.

 Every child is taught: literacy and English, numeracy and Mathematics, science and STEM (including programming/coding/computing), design technology, humanities, languages, the arts (including art and design), health and wellbeing (including PE and sports). There is a strong emphasis on developing competency and mastery of basic core skills in English and Mathematics, as well as personal development through PSHE and citizenship. Whilst the core subjects are taught explicitly, other subjects are taught through project and topic-based curriculum to ensure that skills are embedded and that children learn deeply and have mastery of skills.

 Children are naturally curious and excited by new things and we will harness and stimulate that energy through focus on the environment and sustainability. Evidence shows that future careers for this generation will be strongly embedded in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields. We prioritise that through our curriculum, our children will be strongly equipped for their future to make positive impact and change within their communities. 

Please take your time looking through our website to find more information about our lovely school.

Richard Healey
Headteacher