TORRIDON PRIMARY SCHOOL in Highland, Achnasheen

Education Centre Information: Torridon Primary School:

Funding Type: State funded
Total Pupils: 36
Age Range: 5-12
Gender: Mixed
School roll: 2
Teacher numbers FTE: 2.2

School Type:

Primary

Additional Services:

Pre-school/Nursery facility

Background:

Situated 13 miles west of Bettyhill and 40 miles north of Lairg; between four mountains, one of which is known as the Queen of the Scottish Mountains; 'astonishingly beautiful' landscape offers rich variety of rare plant life, wildlife and birds, in addition to archaeological, historical, geological and ecological sites; conifer and broadleaf woods around the school boundary, and a burn with waterfall and bridges. 'We are lucky that there is so much to learn about in our immediate environment.' School benefits from many experts, such as a countryside ranger and a forester, and from visits from conservation and animal welfare groups, archaeologists, geologists, historians, writers and artists, which 'motivate the children and help them understand there are many paths to follow in life'. The area has 'rich language and cultural heritage'; children have opportunity to explore these through literature, art, music and drama. Built in 1965, school consists of three classrooms, infant room, upper primary room, Gaelic-medium unit, office, staffroom, cloakrooms, canteen and kitchen. The only bilingual school in the area; teaches Gaelic in addition to normal curriculum. Full-time teachers supported by visiting specialists in art, music and physical education. Extra-curricular activities take place during lunchtimes, due to transport difficulties, in addition to which children often go on local field trips during good weather. These have included visits to beaches and forests, Orkney and Norway. The school has good links with its surrounding area and is proud of its past and present achievements. It aims to 'provide experiences which exploit the curiosity of young children and lead them to discovery through activity'.