Callington Learning Community

Developing a common vision of education

Over recent years Callington Community College and the eleven primary schools in this area of South-East Cornwall have worked closely together to develop a common vision of education that prepares all 3 to 19 year olds for the world today and the future. In servicing a disparate community spread over 300 square miles, the benefits of working closely together have long been recognised resulting in all the schools becoming part of The Learning Co-operative Network Learning Community for the past two years.

Headteachers and Governors from Callington Community College, Delaware Primary and Harrowbarrow Primary Schools have explored the potential to develop a single unified organisation with a common ethos, values and a single vision that meets all the educational needs of the Callington Community. Central to this vision is the provision of a seamless, high quality educational and support structure for young people from the age of 3 to 19 through the delivery of a fully integrated Family and Child Service in line with the aims of "Every Child Matters".

Emerging from the work of this group a Collaborative has been formed to:

• Provide a more coherent and appropriate educational provision across all age groups.
• Develop a real sense of community education for pupils, parents, school staff and other adults.
• Utilise school buildings and facilities in rural areas to provide education for the whole community.
• Provide more efficient and economically effective education.
• Raise educational standards by improving provision, staff development, parental education and the quality of teaching and learning.
• Rationalise the management of schools in a rural area.
• Move schooling into the 21st Century.

Although the Collaborative will commence with Callington Community College, Delaware Primary and Harrowbarrow Primary Schools, all the other schools will be invited to join the Collaborative in the near future to help in the development of a Learning Community that will provide a model of excellence for others to follow in similar circumstances throughout the country.