SCHOOL REPORT: Stanmore Primary School in Winchester

That was the message relayed to Echo reporter Sam Hatherley during his visit to the Winchester school.

As he sat down in the main office, he was greeted by the house captains who performed an assembly all about their experiences as pupils.

The captains said that belonging, excellence, support and trust is 'at the heart of everything they do', and that every person has a voice.

"Noone asked us to do this, but we made a survey and asked staff and children what they wanted to see change at school," they said.

Using the feedback, the captains have since made a number of changes, including improvements to lunchtimes.

There is now a quiet place to read, a dance area with music, games available, football on the field, litter pickers to be used, an area to meet a friend where pupils known as Friendship Ambassadors are on hand to help, and an area for Pokemon cards on a Friday.

Each day also has a different theme since the survey, including Mindfulness Mondays, Trivia Tuesdays, and Thoughtful Thursdays.

Although the school was rated 'Requires Improvement' in a 2018 Ofsted report, headteacher Sharon Taylor said that a "real community" has developed between staff and pupils.

She said: "We are an improving school and we are improving every day. Children really have a voice at our school.

"The curriculum not only shows them the things they expect, but we also want to teach them about the wider community.

"In my experience, raising standards is also about knowing and caring about something important to your child."

Last July, hundreds of people turned up to celebrate the school's 90th anniversary.

HEAR FROM THE HEAD

Welcome to Stanmore Primary School. I am proud to be the Headteacher of this rapidly improving Primary School.

For me, there are key goals for primary education: inspiring learning, recognising the potential of every individual, working in partnership and equipping children with the personal keys to success that will help them navigate the challenges of life.

At Stanmore, our shared vision; ‘be the BEST that you can be’ encapsulates these goals.

Belonging: At our school, everyone is welcomed every day as a valued member of an inclusive community, where everyone feels safe, secure and happy.

Excellence: We set no limits on what can be learned or who is able to learn.

Support: We celebrate achievements and help people when they need support.

Trust: Our children develop a sense of trust in themselves to make positive choices and positive contributions.

A curriculum that is purposeful and irresistible in meeting the needs of all the children at Stanmore is central to achieving this.

The curriculum is what makes a school unique and we are passionate about developing an interesting, relevant and innovative curriculum.

Belonging to our local and wider community enhances our curriculum, promotes aspiration and provides the building blocks that Stanmore children need to succeed in life.

High expectations of attainment and progress are for every child, including the most vulnerable.

In my experience, raising standards is also about knowing and caring about something important to your child.

This is central to my role as Headteacher and a priority for our committed team of teachers and support staff.

We are skilled at developing a strong rapport, recognising what a child might need to unlock their potential.

Our children have a voice which they use actively to contribute to our improvement journey.

Our House Captains and pupil ambassadors are the best advocates for our school.

They are proud to belong and excited to be at the forefront of an exciting time of change at Stanmore Primary.