IT may be the largest infant school in the county, but Christchurch Infants School has a strong sense of community.

With an intake of 120 pupils a year, it is certainly a large school, but staff are quick to point out there are many benefits, including a wider range of opportunities for children.

The school is also one of just a few infant schools across Dorset, which means it can concentrate on the educational needs of young children aged four to seven.

Headteacher Jane Ashenden, who is in her 11th year at the school, explained the family feel began as soon as children joined the school.

“The children need to feel it’s their extended family,” she said.

“I talk to them when they first come to school in foundation about what it means to belong to Christchurch Infants School as a big family, because their experience is about family, so we just extend it out.”

That family extends to the pupils’ parents, who are encouraged to work in partnership with the school in educating their children, and to the supportive PTFA, which Jane also describes as “part of the team”.

“It’s a very collegiate team,” the headteacher explained.

“They are very hard working, very concerned, very engaged in young children’s learning. It’s a real strength and it’s such a privilege to work with such a large team, but it’s as if we all talk with one voice.

“We are so proud academically of where we’ve got the school to, but we are not complacent and we always strive to improve what we can offer.”

The school has recently reviewed its behaviour policy and is currently working on the expressive arts aspect of the curriculum and developing the outside environment – a project inspired by the pupil council, who requested additional playground equipment.

“They will tell us what they think, even though they’re very young,” said Jane.

Voicing their opinions is something pupils are actively encouraged to do at Christchurch Infants School, where Jane said that there is a focus on creating a culture in which children want to learn and are enthusiastic about asking questions as well.

She added: “I believe in ASK – get the children’s Attitude to learning right, then Skills and Knowledge will follow.

“It’s just getting children engaged in the fun and excitement and the learning. Being a big school we can offer the children a wide variety of opportunities.”

Pupils spend just three years at Christchurch Infants School, but Jane believes that time is crucial to giving them a good start.

“Early years education is so important because they’ve got a long path of education ahead of them and we’ve got to get the start right,” she said.

“We want to make such an impact on the lives of these children. We want to make the most of this opportunity.”

'Good and improving school'

  • CHRISTCHURCH Infant School, Addiscombe Road, Christchurch, BH23 2AE. 01202 485851
  • Headteacher Mrs Jane Ashenden,
  • 376 pupils aged four to seven.
  • Ofsted: Last inspection May 2009. School rated as good. Inspectors said: “Christchurch Infants is a good and improving school in which pupils make good progress and reach standards that are above national averages by the end of Year 2. The quality of leadership and management is good.” They added: “Consequently the quality of provision for the youngest children in the Early Years Foundation Stage, as well as the personal development and well-being of pupils, the quality of care, guidance and support, the way the school works in partnership with others and the quality of the Speech and Language Base is outstanding.”