I WENT a bit further afield for this week’s In the Classroom feature and paid a visit to a primary school in Cutnall Green. Headteacher of Cutnall Green CE Primary and Pre-School, Emma Rowe, took me on a guided tour around the site.

Mrs Rowe, who has been head at the school since 2017, said that due to demand for places the school will undergo an expansion this September to provide more space for pupils.

When Mrs Rowe took on her role at the school there were 89 pupils. However, in September there will be 155 pupils on roll.

Mrs Rowe said: “Our school offers the best of both worlds – a caring, nurturing atmosphere coupled with high standards of education.

"Our teachers and children have excellent relationships working in partnership with our parents and carers to achieve an engaging learning environment.

“Every child who attends our school is offered opportunities to develop their unique potential, confidence and academic ability in a kind and caring Christian environment.

“The well-being, security and happiness of each child is important to us because we know that happy children learn well and achieve their dreams.”

The school has adopted four guinea pigs – Roger, Missy, Alice and Poppy, all of whom have been welcomed to the Cutnall Green family.

As well as the guinea pigs being regularly fussed, the children also read to them, place them on the desks while they work and also the children help clean their homes. This teaches them responsibility and helps them learn to look after living beings.

Mrs Rowe added: “People like small rural schools with top-notch facilities, so that is what we are trying to achieve here. The children have one shot in education, so we have to do it right for them. That is our purpose. Everything we do is for the children and about the children.”

Teddy Rowe, aged 11, who wants to be a footballer when he grows up, said: “I’m the oldest in the school yet the smallest in my class. It’s smaller to other schools, but I like it. We all get on well, except when we are annoying the girls.”

Nine-year-old Helena Kelly, who is from Germany, would like to be a food scientist. She said: “I love cooking and science, so I want to do something where it involves both. The last school I went to was very crowded. I’ve made lots of friends here.”

Sarah Nesbitt, office manager said: “The school is a hidden gem. Parents think of us as a small, rural school with a caring family feel. Even though we’re expanding, we will never lose that community feel.”

READ MORE:

Pick up the boxing gloves instead of knives, says Droitwich club79-year-old punched in the face in Father's Day road rage attack'It made my blood boil' says woman who found used syringes in Worcester park