A school with a community focus, All Saints RC School in Ebbw Vale is proud that it puts pupils first. TOMOS POVEY visited the school to find out more about what they do

NESTLED in the mountains of a Welsh valley is a school which proudly boasts of its close links with pupils and the community.

All Saints RC School houses a nursery, infants and primary and at its helm is head teacher Jill Jones.

She said that since the building opened it has always fostered close links with the community.

"We do a lot with the community and have really good links," she said.

"We have good links with the church and nursing homes in particular. We visit nursing homes often and they enjoy it.

"Recently I attended an intergenerational project and our children will soon be taking part. They will visit a hospital and do activities with the patients. I think that is brilliant."

She added: "Having a strong relationship with the community is important to us."

The head teacher also stressed that having a "child focussed" approach ensures that there is a close relationship with pupils too.

She said: "We always want to help and listen to our pupils.

"I am proud to say that we are a child focussed school, where children are always put first.

"To make sure pupils have a say we have Pupil Voice. This is where the children have a chance to put their view across.

"One thing Pupil Voice decided on was wanting to collect food for food banks so we did as a school."

School pupils have also displayed their creativity skills after creating a CD.

"I have been leading the creative project at the school," said teacher Ruth Rayner.

"We gave them the chance to write their own lyrics and take part in a song writing competition. It gave children the opportunity to learn more about the wider world.

"They used instruments to create their work and they were helped by musician Dean Richards.

"I believe this activity helps to show the best of our school."

Ms Rayner said activities, such as creating the CD, helps to ensure all pupils are happy during their school life.

"We need to develop the whole pupil," she said.

"Their wellbeing is at our centre.

"We want them all to be happy and have fun.

"At All Saints RC School there is plenty of things for the children to do. We have a play area, hobbit house and pirate ship - all of these are popular."

She added: "We are very special because of the children. They want to be here and we give them the support that they need."

Mrs Jones believes the school has many strengths, with one of those being that everyone gives their 100 per cent to achieve great things.

"We are a fabulous school," she said.

"I can honestly say that our pupils and staff always give their 100 per cent.

"Pupils and staff have a close and caring relationship. And together, we are able to achieve great things."

The head teacher added that the school has ambitious aims for the future.

"Our next plan is to become a dementia friendly school," she said.

"We have helped lots of pupils already. But I hope this will continue so we can help them in achieving their dreams. We want them to feel that they can believe in themselves and achieve anything. That is part of our dream.

"We will continue to do this into the future."

Fact file:

Pupils: 225

Staff: 9

Motto: Caring, Sharing Loving

Language: English

Chairwoman of Governors: Jayne Lewis

Estyn: Good