SCHOOL OF THE WEEK: Mount Pleasant Primary School, Rogerstone

Acting head Andrew Rothwell strives to make sure they have a vibrant curriculum which is relevant, reflecting world affairs and news trends. Mr Rothwell said this contributed to the school being chosen for the Nato visit last year when world leaders, Prime Minister David Cameron and US President Barack Obama, dropped in for a visit.

A year on, it’s clear to see the impact it has had on both pupils and staff.

In reception pupils and staff proudly admire an eye-catching collage featuring the signatures of the two leaders. Made by the children, with the help of their teachers, the hanging artwork depicts iconic Welsh landmark such as the Newport Transporter Bridge and the Severn Bridge.

A split screen television also shows clips of children taking part in various activities and of the Nato visit in September of last year.

“It was a brilliant way to start the year. The children were really excited and asked the leaders some fantastic questions,” said Mr Rothwell, who will return to his post as deputy head in January when a new head arrives.

During the visit the school stock cupboard was turned into a impromptu safe room for the president by his security service.

“Our stock cupboard that we use to keep pencils and paper was turned into a safe room for the president in case there was a problem as it has no windows and only one entrance” added Mr Rothwell.

“After they left the school returned to normal and it was very calm. I don’t think what had just happened sunk in.”

Following the visit the school was invited to the St David Awards at the Senedd as part of the First Minister’s special award for the contribution to making Nato a success. Two pupils attended the event and met the actor Michael Sheen and adventurer Richard Park’s amongst others.

“It’s been brilliant for the school and for Rogerstone,” MR Rothwell said.

Since then the busy school is continuing to improve and invest in new technology for its IT suite.

He said: “We like to think we are forward thinking and have received the NAACE ICT Third Millennium award which is given for the effective use of ICT.”

Within the Education Achievement Service the school is a lead school for ICT.

“We share what we do with other schools in the cluster,” Mr Rorthwell added.

“We have good equipment but it’s the way the IT curriculum helps children to develop their skills and is about being able to use them in different areas effectively and was highlighted as an outstanding feature in our last inspection.

“The academic attainment is very good as a result of on-going tracking of pupils’ performance and catering carefully to their needs.”

Pupils put their IT skills to use when they sent a Twitter message to the Gwent Dragons and Rogerstone Rugby Club appealing for help to replace their worn rugby post protectors.

“They very kindly donated four post protectors and Rogerstone also donated a youth kit which was fantastic” the acting head said.

“We are proud of our sport at Mount Pleasant, offering activities such as football and rugby and also provide multi sports for the younger children such as netball, cricket and swimming.”

The school is also heavily involved in community sport with the Rogerstone Rangers Football Club.

And music plays a big part in life at the school. Pupils receive music lessons from a peripatetic teacher at Gwent Music Support which delivers a range of lessons ranging from guitar to flute, brass, violin and piano.

“We hold an annual outdoor music extravaganza in the summer to which parents bring picnics and enjoy performances from the school choir and bands,” Mr Rothwell said.

“We are very proud of the school’s creative talents and this year’s event included steel pans.

“I have an extremely dedicated team of teachers who are very creative.

“They work incredibly hard and make a great team.”

The corridors and walls of the school are adorned with pupils artwork from school projects to murals and an impressive Bayeux Tapestry display created by pupils with the help of their teachers.

Aside from lessons in the classroom the children enjoy plenty of time outdoors taking part in activities in the forest school area, playing sports on field or making use of the playground.

Mr Rothwell said: “The school has a great location which enables pupils to visit the nearby Fourteen Locks Canal Centre.

“As part of their outdoor learning the pupils learn how to look after the world around them. The Eco Council works to promote strong values of recycling and reducing waste and promotes switching off lights at home as well as at school.”

Mr Rothwell is keen that everyone should have a voice and much of this is expressed through the school’s eco and school council’s.

“The school council helps to give pupils a voice and the opportunity to play a part in what the school is doing both in and out of the classroom,” he said.

“One example of this is a climbing wall that we have put in the place within the grounds.”

The school is supported by a P.T.A which organises fundraising events to help update various equipment and books.

“We have a fantastic culture of reading in the school and have been working hard to develop boys reading,” he added. “The books are so well used that we need to update them regularly.”

The school runs several afterschool clubs including rugby and football which are all teacher-led and with support from an outside company for sports.

Mr Rothwell paid tribute to former school head Andrew Williams who left the school following a promotion at the end of the summer term after nine years at the helm and to Linda Jones, an HLT assistant who retired after 28 years service to the school.

“They are both sadly missed by staff and pupils but have left a fantastic footprint.”

Mr Rothwell, who will return to his post as deputy head in January said it is an exciting time for the school.

“We have a busy term ahead with residential trips planned and the arrival of our new head Miss Rutledge,” he added.

“We are hoping to replace three demountable buildings with new classrooms at the back of the school and turn the current site into green space for the gardening club to develop and for foundation children to use.”

When asked what he hopes the children will leave Mount Pleasant with, he replied: “I hope they leave here with fond memories and be ready for the comprehensive.

“We want year six to be Bassaleg-ready and build on the great start they have had here. I hope they have a love of learning and want to be in school.

“It’s about preparing them for the wider world.”

FACTFILE: Mount Pleasant Primary School, Ruskin Avenue, Rogerstone.

Acting head: Andrew Rothwell

Pupils on roll: 251

Chair of Governors: Professor Sheldon Hanton.

Last Inspection: March 2013

The inspection found outstanding provision for pupils to learn about environmental issues and that teaching, particularly in key stage 2, is of consistently high quality. Planning for the development of skills is very detailed and well-used. The report adds that pupils use their information and communication technology (ICT) skills very widely across the curriculum. Pupils’ numeracy skills are consistently good through the school and have good problem-solving skills in mathematics and in resolving questions and challenges logically in other subjects. The curriculum is broad, balanced and coherent and the provision for the development of Welsh skills is good.