Set in extensive grounds on the edge of Broad Chalke village, this church-aided community school offers its children an opportunity to thrive and develop in a happy, caring environment. Built in 2007 and extremely well resourced with a staff of dedicated, motivated and experienced teachers and teaching assistants, the school provides a wide-ranging and stimulating programme to fully engage every child. A strong academic curriculum is enhanced with sport, music and the arts to bring out and develop potential and provide a fully-rounded educational experience.

At Broad Chalke Primary School we constantly strive to enable our children to enjoy school, achieve their best and develop their own personal strengths within this idyllic and inspirational setting.

 

Salisbury Journal report- 19th April 2007

A NEW chapter in the history of Broad Chalke village school started on Monday when the new term began in a new school.

Pupils, accompanied by staff and parents, joined the Earl of Pembroke in a procession from their "old" school to their new premises.

Before lessons began, Lord Pembroke, the 18th Earl, officially opened the school, thus continuing a link set by his ancestor, the 12th Earl way back in 1861, when he gifted the land for the old school to be built in the centre of the village.

The first day of term also marked an incredible feat by the residents of the Chalke Valley who, in just under two years, raised £340,000 towards the cost of the school.

Faced with the abolishment of the three-tier education system in south Wiltshire, and the prospect of the old village school having to accommodate two extra years with no room for more classrooms, the village decided to build their own new school.

A plan of action was drawn up which included selling the old school site, using £740,000 the government had promised for new classrooms and push for grants from as many sources as possible.

It was reckoned this would bring in about £1.7m towards the total bill of around £2m. It was decided the remaining £300,000 or so would be raised by local people, and everyone rallied round. Just a few weeks before the school was due to open, the fundraising committee held its last meeting and announced the target had been achieved.

Salisbury Journal report- 15th April 2007

A PROCESSION of children walking to their new school following their Easter holidays, will mark a memorable moment in the lives of residents of Broad Chalke and neighbouring villages in the Chalke Valley.

Monday morning's opening of Broad Chalke primary school will herald the end of an amazing fundraising achievement by villagers, who just under three years ago decided to build their own school.

Less than two years ago they launched an appeal to try and raise £300,000 with the aim of getting their school built in time for the summer term in 2007. The appeal was headed up by Keith Hitchings and Louise Hall and the New Build Committee was led by Peter Hornsby.

All of them praised the "tremendous support and encouragement" from Chalke Valley residents, local businesses and the wider community.

By way of saying thank-you the school will be open on Saturday, April 21, when everyone is invited to walk around the school and its grounds to see what "they" helped accomplish.

It was in 2002 when the three-tier system of education was abolished in south Wiltshire that Broad Chalke village school came under pressure.

It would become a primary school and would have to accommodate two extra years. But, had no room on its existing village-centre site.

The staff and governors came up with the self-build idea and held a public meeting to see the reaction of local people.

With their backing it was decided to sell the old school site. Using £740,000 from the Department for Education and Skills intended for two new classrooms, grants from other sources plus the sale of the school, would raise around £1.7m towards the £2m bill for the new school.

It was decided the village would raise the balance. A parachute jump by a parent brought in £3,000, an auction of promises £22,000 and an evening with Vikram Seth raised £4,000, all helping towards the £340,000 total, achieved just a few weeks ago.