KINGSLEIGH Primary School is one of the few primary schools in Bournemouth with vacancies.

But it’s hard to see why it isn’t bursting at the seams after spending a bit of time there.

Headteacher Richard Gower is enthusiastic and down-to-earth, ensuring the needs of both pupils and parents are met.

Work is underway to install the latest state-of-the-art equipment and there’s plenty of room to spread out on the huge site in Hadow Road, West Howe.

Parents have heaped praise on the way the school combines academic studies with excellent pastoral care.

And it has come on in leaps and bounds since it was judged inadequate and given a notice to improve five years ago.

The school, which now has around 500 pupils, is rapidly expanding because Bournemouth council has been forced to provide hundreds of extra primary places across the borough.

The increasing birth rate and the numbers of people moving into the town mean a number of schools are growing, none more so than Kingsleigh.

Traditionally a two form of entry school, there are now three forms in Year 1 and reception, which will rise to four forms of entry in September.

The huge amount of new places means many parents have been allocated places there even though the school was not their first choice and several have voiced concerns.

Phase leader Elaine Robertson said: “Our advice would be to step in the front door. “I have been here for many years and I have seen the changes which have taken place. “We have got a very strong team here.”

Headteacher Richard Gower said: “Kingsleigh has had a bad reputation but it is a calmer and better school now.

“Things are more settled and we are a true community school.

“We put time and effort into making sure that children are settled and able to do the best they can.”

Children’s happiness is at the heart of everything they do at Kingsleigh and youngsters are involved in decision-making and the running of the school wherever possible.

Year 6 pupils are given extra responsibility as prefects and there are house captains and a school council.

Parent Beata Roberts has two children at the school, one in nursery and one in Year 1.

She said: “This was not my first choice school and I was very worried but it has been great. “The staff work really hard here.”

Her views were echoed by parent Rachel Benfold who said: “When we were given this school we were really unhappy about it but it is way above our expectations. “They give support both to the children in the school and to the parents.”