FROM a VE Day street party to a cooking class, a Kindle reading club, looking after the eco-greenhouse and running a science lab, children at Fleur de Lys Primary School have a lot to shout about. KATH SKELLON reports.

It may be the last day of term when we arrive on a non-uniform fundraising day at the school in the village of the same name but children in Key Stage 2 are fully immersed in the VE Day party in the hall to mark the end of a topic about World War Two.

School head, Susan Witchell beams with pride as we take a tour of the Victorian buildings, whose history is celebrated, most notably with a wall mosaic and garden that marks the buildings’ centenary.

The children’s talents are evident through a cabinet in reception that holds several trophies and awards. Their enthusiasm is infectious as every wall is decorated with eye-catching artwork and projects and wall-hangings featuring the Celts and the Tudors.

In one corridor the pegs and benches that were once used to hang coats have been replaced with lockers. This is something Mrs Witchell says was an idea that came from the children themselves and just one of many to be implemented at the school.

“It’s important that the children have a voice," she said.

"We have a school and eco council which play an important part in our decision-making.”

“It’s an exciting time for us,” explains Mrs Witchell, who took over the headship in September from Edward Berry.

“From working towards our healthy schools initiative to developing the garden, and getting out first green flag award there is always something happening in all corners of the school.”

The Foundation Phase has been learning about electricity in a topic entitled ‘Over the Electric Rainbow’.

One classroom has been converted into a series of small shops, kitted out with tills and tools focusing on painting and decorating to construction and a science lab.

“They take ownership of the topic and come up with ideas for the areas.”

They also have a hamster as a class pet and take it in turns to take it home at the weekends, which Mrs Witchell says gives them a responsibility of looking after an animal.

“We are very fortunate to have supportive parents and governors and such committed staff.”

“Every member of staff is involved in the after-school club. They willingly give up their own time for the benefit of the children”

There is an extensive range of activities on offer outside of school hours from football to netball, a Kindle reading club and ICT.

“Our recent inspection helped us to celebrate the good features of the school. Part of our development plan is to develop literacy and numeracy and ICT provision.”

“We have invested heavily in ICT with software such as ipads, laptops and Kindles to help develop reading skills. It’s about embracing technology which we do and have set up a Kindle reading club.”

“We are concentrating on getting the best out of the children."

“Staff put a lot of effort to make sure it is a vibrant and purpose -built for learning.”

“The school is very much a part of the community, visiting residential homes and taking part in events. We try to link any trips with the current topic the children are studying. We visited Caerleon whilst studying the Romans.”

“We have a supportive PTA which works hard to raise funds for equipment and help to develop the school.”

“Just last night they put on a school disco.”

Safety and health are high on the agenda with a Walking Bus run on a Friday. Children and staff, wear hi-visibility tabards and follow a safe planned route in and out of the school grounds to meet their parents.

“It encourages them to be healthy and get them into walking. We’re currently working towards phase five of the healthy school’s initiative quality mark.”

Outdoors the children take it in turns to water their plants during the break and take responsibility for them.

“We are slowly developing the grounds and have an outdoor classroom which we incorporate into the curriculum to stimulate learning, eco-greenhouse made using bottles of pop, a log circle and vegetable patch where we grow cabbages, radishes, onions and beetroots.”

The infants have a wellie Wednesday when they don their wellies and go into the forest garden for outdoor learning. It was during this class that they helped make nesting boxes for the birds.

“This is a small village school but we are more like a family. Everyone know everyone well and works well together.

“Our motto is Together We Achieve and features on our school uniform rather than having the school name.”

“I want them to leave here with skills for life. We have to ensure these children are confident, independent learners with reading and numeracy to take them to the next phase of learning to start them on their learning journey.

“It’s about making sure that when they leave us to go to secondary school the transition is smooth.”

Inspection Report

The school was inspected in June this year by Peter Mathias and found that most pupils make good progress, that standards in literacy and numeracy are good and that teaching is of a high standard. Mr Mathias said pupils’ wellbeing and behaviour are very good and the school has a positive and inclusive ethos. He found attendance rates to be consistently good and that many make good use and noted the many very good displays around the school which celebrate pupil successes and promote a positive atmosphere.

Fact file

Fleur de Lys Primary School, School Street, Fleur de Lys

School head: Mrs Susan Witchell

Miss Leah Spearman

Chair of governors: Dewi Lloyd

Pupils: 119

Ages: three to 11