A growing partnership between two Calne schools is giving pupils new opportunities to learn, lead and build confidence.
Saint Edmund’s Catholic Primary School has teamed up with St Mary’s Calne to provide weekly support sessions and shared activities that benefit pupils at both schools.
Executive headteacher Helen Biles-Wood with Saint Edmund's pupils
For the past year, volunteers from St Mary’s Calne have been visiting Saint Edmund’s each week to help younger pupils with reading. Since September, pupils from the independent girls’ school have also supported a Friday afternoon netball club.
The collaboration has recently expanded further, with St Mary’s Year 10 Dance Leaders working alongside Saint Edmund’s pupils to prepare a routine for a dance show taking place next month.
Saint Edmund’s Catholic Primary School, which is part of the Dunstan Catholic Educational Trust, focuses on a values-based education that encourages children to develop their talents and contribute positively to their community. Staff say the partnership has strengthened enrichment opportunities for pupils while providing them with positive older role models.
At the same time, pupils from St Mary’s Calne gain hands-on experience in leadership, teamwork and mentoring through working with younger children.
Helen Biles-Wood, Executive Headteacher at Saint Edmund’s Catholic Primary School, said:
“We’re delighted to see our pupils benefiting from the energy and experience of St Mary’s Calne pupils. Their support in reading, netball and dance gives our children new opportunities to learn, grow and gain confidence, while helping to build connections between our schools.”
Anne Wakefield - Head of St Mary's Calne
Anne Wakefield, Head of St Mary’s Calne, said the partnership had proved rewarding for both schools.
“It is wonderful to hear how pupils at Saint Edmund’s are benefitting from the dedication, leadership and enthusiasm of our Year 10 and sixth form pupils,” she said. “In turn, our upper school pupils gain so much from working with younger children and developing a deeper understanding of the needs of others.”
She added that the partnership was helping both school communities “learn, share and grow through working so closely together”.
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