WITH panoramic views across Newport as far as the Bristol Channel, Ringland Primary School has to command one of the county’s finest positions.

Head teacher Lisa Bowden admits “coming to school is a pleasure” not just for the views but because she is “proud and privileged to be head teacher of such a vibrant school”.

Miss Bowden was appointed three and a half years ago and praises the support of school governors, PTFA, parents and staff who embody the school motto which isTEAM– Together Everyone Achieves More.

The school is set over three floors with a separate nursery and reception unit. There are two levels of playground; one for the infants and one for the juniors, plus a host of outdoor climbing frames and equipment.

There’s even a wooden train for pupils to play on.

Miss Bowden said this was thanks to the support of others involved with the school, including chairman of governors John Fortey who was appointed in September 2010 and who Miss Bowden describes as “very supportive”.

She added: “With the aid of our PTFAand governors, we have been able to purchase all our outdoor equipment.

It’s very much a case of collaboration.”

Inside, the building is well-equipped for disabled access with a lift, and a stair lift to all levels.

One floor is dedicated to the special needs unit, who have recently enjoyed a trip to Newport wetlands.

Year 3 pupils are always eager to showoff their junior garden which this year is concentrating on vegetables.

Year 3 teacher Susan Martin said: “Last year we grewsalad.

We like to rotate crops every year. Once the produce is grown we take it into the school, wash it and share it.

“Last year we made sandwiches using the salad items which proved very popular.”

One of the pupils admitted they loved coming to garden and wanted to stay there all day. “There is a gardening club every Thursday after school,”

said Mrs Martin, who has been a teacher at Ringland Primary for 18 years.

Outside the nursery building the school has planted a willow tunnel and a willowigloo which the children clearly loved playing around. “The children love these additions to our facilities,” said teacher Ruth Bishop who has been at the school for three years.

“They have great fun running through the tunnel and making up stories and adventures.”

The play area outside the nursery/reception block has a variety of toys and learning activities, which are changed every day. This links with the Foundation Phase planning.

“The children seem to enjoy the simplest of things,” said Caroline Taylor, who is a learning service assistant. “They love the wooden blocks, painting and plastic crates,” she said. “Playing and learning with the water tank is also very popular.”

With such extensive grounds, there is a Forest School area and Ringland primary has just been awarded its third Green Flag. It nowhas its sights set on applying for Fairtrade focus. Jodi Webb, who teaches reception, and Bethan Davies, who teaches Year 5, are keen to obtain a Fairtrade Wales grant and are striving for accreditation.

Projects undertaken have included setting up a Fairtrade fund to buy Fairtrade products.

“We only sell Fairtrade items in our tuck shop,” said Ms Webb. “We were lucky enough to have a visit from Matt Elias (Olympic 400m hurdler), who emphasised the importance of healthy eating and keeping fit.”

There have been special assemblies concentrating on Fairtrade talks and information has been passed on to staff and pupils. Even parents and local businesses have been targeted with booklets.

The school has visited the Fair Do’s shop in Cardiff, which specialises in Fairtrade and bought items back to sell to increase the fund’s coffers.

Items such as candles, soap and stationary have been purchased by staff and parents.

Ms Davies said: “We are targeting some Premiership football teams at the moment to get sponsorship for their kit and possibly their footballs.”

The Fairtrade project includes the whole school, from years 1 to 6, and is being implemented in the curriculum.

Ms Webb said: “We are making children conscious of what Fairtrade is about and hoping to instil the ideas into them.

“Staff are becoming aware and taking the project on board at home, which is great.”

Children and staff also interact using Welsh, and Miss Bowden explained howthe Welsh language is being developed throughout the school with pupils and staff using incidental Welsh when addressing each other.

After school activities include gardening, cookery with parents being brought in for a Healthy Eating lesson, boxercise, drama, hockey, tag rugby and football.

Miss Bowden said: “We have amazing support from the governing body, plus our local community association which is presently looking to encourage an allotment area for us.

“Throughout my relatively short time here at Ringland, my committed and dedicated staff have never ceased to amaze me.”

School fact file

  • Head Teacher: Miss Lisa Bowden,
  • Teaching Staff: 13 Support Staff: 14
  • Children on roll: 220
  • Age range: Three - 11 yrs
  • Chairman of Governors: Cllr John Fortey

Inspection report

  • A calm and happy school which portrays a calm environment.

Behaviour is good and pupils have positive attitudes.

  • Pupils are courteous and relate well to fellow pupils, staff and visitors.
  • The pupils voices are reflected in the work of the school council, school effectiveness group, ecocommittee and the sports council.
  • Most pupils are actively involved in matters that relate to themselves and their school environment.