“FRIENDLY”, “adventurous” and “caring” are some of the words that come back when pupils are asked to describe Sylvan First School.

The 400-pupil first school in Parkstone is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

Like many schools in the area, it is facing the challenge of a rapidly growing number of pupils but is proud of the way it treats children as individuals as well as helping them achieve.

Head teacher Sarah Lee arrived four years ago after being a head teacher in Derbyshire.

“Working at Sylvan is a privilege. I am very lucky to have a great team of staff and governors to work with,” she says.

“Sylvan First School is a very special place within a superbly supportive community.”

The school recently underwent a big building project to provide five Early Years Foundation Stage classes, with places for 150 children.

“We may be a large first school but we pride ourselves on ensuring that every child matters – Sylvan is a school where children come first,” says Mrs Lee.

“The best part of my job is talking with the children every day about their learning; what they enjoy and what they have learnt.

“Sylvan is a place of creativity, energy, sparkle, hard work, respect and aspiration.”

But the school is always looking to improve. A major focus at the moment is to develop writing skills with a creative approach called Talk for Writing.

The school has focused on the creative curriculum, which has meant bringing lessons to life in imaginative ways. A reptile shop recently brought in some specimens for early years children to see up close, while year three were heading off to visit a Hindu temple in Southampton. There have recently been sessions on African music and dance and a visit to Cranborne Ancient Technology Centre.

Deputy head teacher Janine Harries says: “It’s a school with so many children with so many talents and I like the diverse community you’ve got here and the fact that the children are so eager to learn and so happy to learn and learn in creative ways.”

There’s a thriving School Council and a Playground Pals scheme which enlists pupils to help make sure no one is feeling lonely.

Sylvan means a group of trees and the classes are named after trees. As the school has grown, children and their families have helped choose the new class names – the newest being Rowan and Elm.

Parents are also being involved in preparations for changes to the age of transfer, which means pupils will be leaving for middle school a year earlier from 2013.

• The school is planning a Diamond Jubilee reunion on March 24 for its community, old and new. Anyone who can lend photos or memorabilia should ring 01202 743064 or visit sylvanfirstschool.net.

Factfile

Number of pupils: 400 in 14 classes, from foundation stage to year three.

Staff: 14 teachers, 28 teaching assistants, 14 midday supervisors, many cleaners and admin staff.

Last Ofsted: 2008. Judged “good” across all categories and the inspector highlighted the caring nature of the school.

Current focus: Giving children opportunities to develop their writing in a creative approach called Talk for Writing.