PADRE Pio RC Primary School, Pontypool, is bursting with enthusiasm over its diverse range of learning initiatives. Hannah Wood discovers how it’s all about pupil participation at this school.

BUILT in 2008, this modern and innovative building looks impressive inside and out. With a large mosaic of the Franciscan Cross placed next to the entrance, to halls lined with awards and plaques, the overriding values of the school are clearly distinguishable – giving pupils a high-quality Christian education.

The school dedicated its name to Padre Pio after the governing body wanted to recognise the work of the Franciscan friars who came to Pontypool in the middle of the 19th century and established the parishes and schools of the Eastern Valleys.

The new school was officially opened on September 23, the Feast Day of Padre Pio, by the archbishop, The Most Rev Peter Smith.

Padre Pio has just 219 pupils from reception to Year 6 and with just one class for each year group, there is a real sense of familiarity and community throughout the school.

With 93.5 per cent of all their pupils achieving the expected outcome in the Foundation phase and nearly 80 per cent of pupils achieving the expected level in the core subjects in Key Stage 2, the children at this primary are clearly excelling.

Padre Pio last had its inspection in 2010 under the old inspection format.

The school was given a Grade 2 – good features with no important shortcomings – for how well its learners achieved and for how well they were cared for and guided.

The school was also awarded a Grade 2 in all leadership and management categories.

The staff and pupils pride themselves on student participation and the diverse range of initiatives and extra-curricular clubs on offer.

Marie Gunter, eco-schools co-ordinator said: “We are an eco-school, so our children have an eco-club that they are really enthusiastic about.

“They have done projects with recycling and rag bags and have a colour-co-ordinated system to let pupils know what is safe to turn off in order to save electricity.”

The club recently had a visit from Empower, who taught the children how to become more environmentally friendly. Their interest in environmental issues also led to a school competition to design a new eco-logo.

The range of activities also extends to a cookery club, where the pupils can learn about eating healthily on a budget.

Teaching assistants Natalia Tennet and Catherine Spencer oversee the club. Catherine said: “We want to make pupils aware that you can have a balanced diet that can be easy and inexpensive to make.”

The cooking club has entered Sainsbury’s Active Kids Superstar Cooks, a nationwide competition where the pupils will be judged on their creation of a healthy meal for four people.

The children are overjoyed at the prospect of winning £10,000 and the chance to meet Britain’s Got Talent winner Ashley Banjo.

If successful, they plan to spend their winning fund on new equipment and ingredients for the cookery room.

Alongside its many notable efforts, Padre Pio is also part of Forest Schools Education, an outdoors initiative which allows children to enjoy a unique practical form of learning.

Carol Ware, Forest School leader, said: “The scheme is pupil led, we encourage the children to decide what activity they want to participate in, whether it be making magic potions, building a log fire or observing the wildlife in the area. It’s a real chance for pupils to learn and use their imaginations.”

Pupils are also excelling within the classroom during their paired reading lessons. The sessions act as a ‘buddy system’ where the older children help the younger pupils with their pronunciation, annunciation and expression while reading.

Paired reading has boosted the children’s confidence, with members of staff commenting on how they have seen a progression in pupils’ literacy in the foundation phase through the help of Key Stage 2 pupils. The pupils also have access to iPads to help them with their IT skills and to work interactively.

Padre Pio is persistently engaging engages with its community and different organisations. It is currently working with Communities First, a programme funded by the Welsh Government, to deliver fun activities for the children to enjoy.

As well as a further cookery and healthy eating course for up to ten pupils, a comic club will be starting in January for Years 3, 4 and 5 pupils.

Newport County AFC have also been involved with the school and have recently received a grant allowing them to expand their sport programme to schools in Torfaen. Project workers in the scheme will be delivering sports sessions to pupils as of this week.

Pupils at Padre Pio certainly have a varied and thorough education. From reception to Year 6, pupils are excited about learning. They are eager to excel and promote their school and the values that come with it.

Head teacher Paul Welsh also expressed his pride and positivity towards the school. He said: “Padre Pio Catholic School has now been open for six years and we are very proud of the partnership that has developed between the school, home and parish.

“As a school community we seek to ensure that we use our modern facilities to provide excellent learning opportunities for all pupils.

“It is a place where children can engage in their faith daily, through prayer and worship, and the Christian values modelled by staff prepare pupils to contribute effectively to their wider community.”