Building and Grounds
There has been a school in the village of Natland since the late 19th century. The current site was developed in the late 1960s when the Victorian school buildings on the village green were demolished. The new school opened in 1967.
As the population of the catchment area has increased with regular house building projects, the school has grown and the building has been added to.
In 2003 a new school hall was added along with other alterations giving an additional classroom and a new corridor linking the two main sections of the school.
In 2006 a seventh classroom was established by re-working existing rooms and the library was brought to the centre of the school.
A dedicated outside area for the younger children was created in 2007 as an extension to the Reception classroom. More recent work has included re-roofing, replacement of the main heating boilers, toilet refurbishment and an extension to the car park.
In 2014 new office space and a new school entrance were added. Work was completed on alterations to two classrooms and a new classroom was built in 2016 to accommodate an expected influx of children from the Strawberry Fields housing development in Oxenholme.
In 2019 the heating system was completely upgraded.
These projects have been designed to ensure that we have seven dedicated teaching spaces able to accommodate 30 pupils.
Outdoor space
The school is set in extensive grounds incorporating a large playground, playing field, adventure play area, and the ‘Hidden Haven’ which includes an outside classroom, kitchen garden and wildlife area. Each year we harvest a wide range of home grown fruit and vegetables as the ‘Hidden Haven’ has become established.
Playground developments
St Mark’s PTA has led the way in recent years in raising £27,000 for development of the playground. The children now enjoy the safety and opportunity offered by the new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA). We also have a large shelter over one corner of the playground and a wide range of sports and educational markings painted on the surface of the playground.
St Mark’s Nursery
From June 2018 St Mark’s school began hosting the long-established Natland and Oxenholme Pre-School in the school building. The Pre-School was based in the local Natland village hall but was re-established as a partner of the school. A room was leased to the trustees who continued to manage the provision which was separately registered with Ofsted.
As a result of the move, the Pre-School was able to offer morning and afternoon sessions each day of the week during school terms. Families using the Pre-School were also able to use the school’s MOSAICS breakfast and after-school clubs which, when used in conjunction with pre-school sessions, can provide full wrap-around care, from 7.45 a.m. to 5.45 p.m.
From 1st November 2021 the Pre-School ceased to operate and became St Mark’s Nursery, with new legal status as a Governor-led Early Years provision.