SCHOOL OF THE WEEK: Greenmeadow Primary School

SITUATED in Cwmbran, Greenmeadow Primary School has a small community feel and staff and pupils have an excellent relationship.

“To be the best we can be” is their motto and something that both pupils and staff are working towards as head teacher, Michelle Green explains. “Within our school we really want to boost our educational standards and have a particular focus on improving literacy across all ages.”

Greenmeadow places a heavy focus on reading and writing and the whole school is currently working on a guided reading programme in which pupils help and support their peers in bettering their literacy skills.

In Years 5 and 6 a number of methods are put in place to help children improve in these areas.

The pupils have a “book nook” where they can go and read in a comfortable and relaxed environment.

The nook is decorated in a way that creates a magical and imaginative atmosphere for the pupils and ensures reading becomes a more enjoyable part of their school life.

Quirky techniques such as the use of ‘editing glasses’ help Year 5 and 6 pupils to be vigilant with their work by checking grammar and spelling. When the pupils have finished writing a piece of work, they take out their editing glasses, and read through it, correcting any errors, which encourages accuracy.

The class also has what is known as an ‘author’s chair’ where pupils who are struggling with a certain aspect of their work sit. Other pupils will then go over to the chair and help their classmate with whatever piece of work they are finding challenging.

Literacy skills also play an important factor in Key Stage One.

Pupils at this level also participate in regular guided reading activities as class teacher Lesley Tucker explains.

“The pupils use the computers and the iPads, to play literacy or numeracy based games.

“They also take part in guided reading or free reading, where they can read something of their choice.

“I think having these different activities keeps it fresh and gives them a variety of things to do.”

Aside from literacy, pupils at Greenmeadow also engage in outdoor activities. Year 3 and 4 pupils are currently taking part in the Spring Bulbs for Schools programme which is supported by the National Museum Wales.

The programme asks pupils to monitor the weather in order to grow different plants all year round.

The children then write reports and record the growth of their plants to report back to the museum to let them know how they are getting on.

Outside their classroom the pupils have lines and lines of pots filled with daffodil and crocus bulbs which they keep track of on a daily basis.

The school also encourages outdoor learning through the medium of sport and play.

The school has its own outdoor play area with monkey bars and tyres and this is sometimes used during their PE lessons.

There is also a range of extra-curricular sporting and outdoor activities available to pupils including netball, football, eco club and forest schools education.

Newport County players also visit the school on a weekly basis and hold football lessons for pupils to encourage them into sport.

Head teacher Mrs Green said: “The Newport county players have been coming in for a little while, once a week and the pupils really enjoy it.”

Music is also a big part of the pupils’ education at Greenmeadow. Peripatetic teachers from Gwent Music Support regularly come in to hold lessons with pupils.

Mrs Green said: “They can learn a range of instruments including strings, percussion and brass.

“I think drums have got to be one of the most popular instruments for the children to learn and also the guitar.”

This year marks a special occasion for Greenmeadow Primary School as pupils and members of staff are celebrating 40 years of the school being open.

Mrs Green said: “We are holding a number of events to mark the occasion and last term we held a ‘70s night where all the staff and pupils dressed up in ‘70s fancy dress and we had a school disco.

“We will also be holding a special assembly to celebrate the 40 years where we will be inviting past teachers and pupils to come and talk about how the school has evolved and changed over the years.

“We want to mark the event with current pupils and staff as well as those who worked or came to the school in the past; we also want the celebrations to extend into the wider community.”

The school is also celebrating another milestone as one member of staff is celebrating 25 years of working at the school, the longest member of staff to work at Greenmeadow.

Claire Hall is a high-level teaching assistant who has helped out across all year groups in the school.

Mrs Hall came to the school in 1990 and is a very well respected and valued member of staff.

For the next 40 years Mrs Green knows Greenmeadow can continue on to be an excellent learning facility.

Throughout the years the school has seen a lot of changes, but has also kept its strong and valued presence within the local community.

Mrs Green said: “I think one of the best things about this school is the excellent team that work well together all for the benefit of the children.

“We also have a very productive PTA that helps keeps the school heavily involved in the community and organises summer fetes, school discos and Christmas fairs.”

Fact file:

Head teacher: Michelle Green

Number of pupils: 184

Age range: 4 -11 (Reception to year six)

Biggest class: Year six – 31 pupils

Motto: “To be the best we can be”

Estyn Inspection: Greenmeadow Primary School was last inspected in November 2009 under the old inspection format. The school received grade two ratings, good features with no important shortcomings, for all aspects including how well learners achieve and how effective are leadership and strategic management. The school is now due for an inspection in the next 12 months.