Inspiring kind hearts, curious minds and ambitious futures.
Inspiring Kind Hearts, Curious Minds and Ambitious Futures lies at the heart of everything we do at Caen Community Primary School.
Situated in the heart of the Braunton community, our school reflects the values of belonging, care and connection that make the village so special. Relationships are at the centre of our approach, and we believe that children flourish when they feel valued, understood and supported. Working at Caen is more than a job; it is a vocation. Our dedicated staff take the time to truly know each child as an individual, building strong, trusting relationships that help children feel safe, confident and ready to learn. They combine empathy and encouragement with high expectations, inspiring every child to achieve their very best.
Our motto, “Inspiring Kind Hearts, Curious Minds and Ambitious Futures,” is woven throughout school life. We nurture kind hearts by teaching children the importance of respect, compassion and responsibility, helping them to become positive members of their community. We encourage curious minds through a broad, engaging and knowledge-rich curriculum that sparks imagination, develops critical thinking and fosters a lifelong love of learning. We promote ambitious futures by helping children believe in themselves, embrace challenges and develop the skills, confidence and resilience they need to succeed in an ever-changing world.
We are proud to be an inclusive school where every child is encouraged to thrive and where individual strengths, talents and achievements are celebrated. We support our pupils to become confident, independent learners who are eager to explore new ideas and take on challenges. As a proud School of Sanctuary, we are committed to creating a culture of welcome and belonging. We celebrate diversity and ensure that every child and family feels respected, valued and supported, regardless of their background, language, culture or experiences.
Our rich and ambitious curriculum makes the most of our unique location, drawing on the natural beauty, history and opportunities of North Devon, whilst also opening children's eyes to the wider world. We take pride in offering a wealth of experiences, both in and beyond the classroom, that broaden horizons and create lasting memories. Through these opportunities, children develop confidence, independence and aspiration, ensuring they leave Caen not only with strong academic foundations, but also as kind, curious and ambitious young people who are ready for the next stage of their learning journey and beyond.
Don't just take our word for it; here are some quotes from children and parents at Caen:
"Caen is a sustainable, eco-friendly School of Sanctuary where we all work together and respect each other. We are a loving community who are there for you no matter what. No matter your background, your religion, your language or your culture you will be welcomed with open arms (200 pairs of them!). Our wonderful staff are there if you need them, when you need them, helping you feel as safe as possible. We hope you'll love our school as much as we do!" (Lela, Year 6)
"The lessons at Caen are amazing. In English you will be able to create incredible stories and in science you will learn about the human body and more! Our school is becoming more eco-friendly every term as we now have a Snack Shack to reduce the amount of plastic wrappers from snacks that children bring in. Just over a year ago, Caen became a School of Sanctuary. This means that we will welcome anyone into our school. We have a mural near the front gate to symbolise this. The painting is by local artist and author Miriam Latimer. Here at Caen there are a lot of different trips. Whether it is a residential to Bristol or a day trip to the beach, we have everything covered." (Daley, Year 6)
"Our experience with Caen has been overwhelmingly positive. We have been delighted by how quickly xxxx has settled into life at Caen Primary School. The transition has been seamless, thanks to the thorough and thoughtful support provided by the school, which has helped xxxx feel safe, understood, and supported from day one. It genuinely feels as though the school simply 'gets her.' The staff have been incredibly welcoming, taking the time to introduce themselves personally and reassuring us that they are always available should we have any concerns. We are absolutely thrilled to have found Caen Primary School. Watching her thrive, build confidence, and once again enjoy coming to school has been wonderful to see! We are very grateful to the entire team for making such a positive difference to xxxx's wellbeing and happiness." (Parent of a child new to Year 5)
"It’s incredible to look back at how far xxxx has come over the course of this school year. When she first started, she was frightened of being around other children, struggled to communicate verbally, and was unable to read or write. Through patience, encouragement, and consistent support, she has made remarkable progress. Today, xxxx is much more confident in social situations, her vocabulary has grown significantly, and she can now read and write. Seeing her develop these skills has been truly amazing and is a testament to her determination and resilience. The dedication and hard work of her teachers and support staff have played a huge part in this journey. Their kindness, understanding, and commitment to helping xxxx reach her potential have made a lasting difference. They have created an environment where she has felt safe to learn, grow, and believe in herself." (Parent of a child new to Reception class)