EVERYONE’S busy learning at Verwood First School – and not just the pupils.

“We’re all learners here,” said head Adam Parsons.

“We’ve got great teachers but we don’t lose sight of the fact that we are all continually developing, we all make mistakes and that is okay, that is good for the children to see.

“We want to be good role models, and learners – all learners – make mistakes”.

It’s an attitude that has earned the school high praise from Ofsted inspectors, who gave it an outstanding rating and highlighted Mr Parsons’ “inspirational leadership.”

And the school’s results are equally impressive; in 2012 the school was in the top 20 per cent of all schools for standards in reading and mathematics and in the top 40 per cent for writing.

Every single pupil attained the required stage in the Key Stage 1 maths assessment, while 97 per cent achieved the required standard in reading and 93 per cent in writing.

But Mr Parsons said he was more concerned with pupils’ and parents’ views on the school and the teaching they provided.

“We’ve got an outstanding tag but we don’t really buy into that,” he said.

“We believe in the fact that we are authentic people that try and do our best for the children every day.

“It’s what parents say about us that matters. What’s most important is that the parents believe in us and the children have a motivating, enjoyable time here.”

They certainly enjoy themselves, thanks to the school’s topic-based approach to the curriculum. Children begin a new topic with two fun-filled “immersion days” where they can try a wide range of different, hands-on activities, from making water rockets to jousting.

Year 3 teacher Alison Roberts said: “We’ve found that using hooks like the immersion days really engages the children. They are then so enthusiastic about learning.”

As a Church of England school, Verwood First School has strong links with nearby St Michael’s Church and pupils visit the church at Christmas, Easter and other times throughout the year.

Mr Parsons said: “It’s really important that our foundation is built on the Lord Jesus. All of us try our very best to be authentic and have integrity and live according to the values of the Lord Jesus.”

To achieve this aim, the school’s 300 young pupils learn about the six Rs – resilience, reflectiveness, reciprocity, resourcefulness, respect and responsibility.

Miss Roberts said: “We have really taken the 6 Rs on this year and that will be continuing into the future. The children use the words and they understand what they mean. Each year group is investigating those values in more details and that makes for a calm, respectful school atmosphere.”

Factfile

  • Verwood First School, Howe Lane, Verwood, BH31 6JF
  • Telephone: 01202 822652
  • Head: Adam Parsons
  • Age range: 4 to 9
  • Number of pupils: 300, mixed

Latest Ofsted report

“This is an outstanding school, which has improved greatly because of the inspirational leadership of the fantatsic headteacher.

“He is very ably supported by his assistant headteachers, subject leaders and the whole staff team, who are all fully committed to providing high quality education and care for all pupils.

“Pupils thoroughly enjoy school and all it has to offer.

“This is shown in their happy, smiling faces, friendliness and excellent behaviour.

“They say that teachers are always ready to help them and their topics are great fun. Parents are rightly very pleased with the school and shower it with praise.”