SCHOOL OF THE WEEK: Kymin View Primary

Sally-Ann Wright is immersing herself into the community at Kymin View Primary in Wyesham, Monmouth.

Mrs Wright, whose career in education is now in its 25th year, described her first six weeks at the school as a ‘whirlwind’.

“It has been a whirlwind but a very exciting and rewarding six weeks spent getting to know the children, parents and community,” explained Mrs Wright from her office, which boasts views of the iconic Kymin hill in the Wye Valley.

“It is about building on the foundations laid down by my predecessor. I feel so privileged to be the leader of such a wonderful faculty with such a dedicated team.”

“There is a strong community feel here and the way we reach out to the community and make a difference is amazing.”

The school opened seven years ago as a new-build, bringing together a separate junior school and an infant school, adopting the motto “Today matters for tomorrow’s success,’ and logo that features the nearby landmark –The Kymin – from which the school takes its name.

“What you do today impacts on tomorrow,” added Mrs Wright.

“At Kymin View we aim to reach for the stars.”

“We want to ensure that each child feels valued and that they recognise they have a place in the school and in society.”

“We are an inclusive school and have a lot of children with different abilities, but take them under our wing and tailor our programme to suit their needs.”

Kymin View is an impressive single-floor building that was built using sustainable materials. One noticeable feature is a rainwater harvesting system that collects water from the roof, which is then stored and used to flush the school’s toilets. The children can monitor how much water is harvested through a transparent pipe in the foyer.

The school is a hive of activity when we arrive, but the pupils are noticeably calm, polite and happy.

“We have been busy since the start of term, having held our harvest festival and fundraising for the charities Samaritans Purse and Jeans for Genes, and are now looking ahead to a Year 6 trip to Gilwern Outdoor Centre and our Christmas production.”

There are activities taking place in all corners of the school, among them choir practice, welly-matt making, cookery and badminton.

Deputy head teacher, Theresa Ryan-Balph, explained that badminton is an unusual sport to play at a primary school, but is beneficial to the children.

The school choir, which has been running for several years, practises under the leadership of Ms Pitt who is teaching them some new songs.

In the nursery, the children are busy making welly mats by painting the bottom of their wellies and printing them on mats.

In the classrooms, Year 6 pupils who are reading buddies, spend time with the younger pupils to share favourite stories, while year one are studying teddy bears as their topic this term.

The school uses the Read Write Inc Phonics programme to help children to read from reception to year two by focusing on structure and spelling patterns in the English language, and then using books specially tailored to learning those patterns.

Every classroom is fitted with interactive whiteboards and there are also laptop trollies and mini-iPads.

“We are in the process of updating our IT equipment and teach them that life is at their fingertips, but also not to be reliant on technology.”

Healthy eating is an important part of life at Kymin View with weekly cookery classes held.

“We have fantastic kitchen staff who cook meals on site and provide a salad option. The children plant the seeds in the allotment and help to pick the produce.

“They devise recipes that are cooked in the kitchen and can eat them in school or take them home to show their parents.”

The eco-committee looks at and monitors the school to make sure it is working towards its green flag award, while the school council is currently in the process of being re-elected to start their term of office, but have in the past looked at healthy food and walking buses.

“It is important that they have a voice,” said Mrs Wright.

There is plenty of activity within the school grounds, which feature a woodland area, an allotment, field, play equipment and a multi-use games area. With wet weather clothing provided by the school, the children benefit from the vast grounds all year round.

The reception class has been on a leaf hunt as part of a mathematical activity and are looking at the shape, size and colours of leaves.

When it comes to after-school and lunch-time clubs that range from table tennis to music making and IT and homework clubs, the children are spoilt for choice.

The Busy Bees toddler group, run by Jo Stephens, is one of the areas that has undergone development in recent months and is the result of her fundraising efforts and the help of grants.

The school is proud of its sports teams which include two netball teams, girls and boys football and a bowls team.

Kymin View enters a girls’ football tournament each year that is supported by Monmouthshire Sports Development Officer, Andy Beattie.

“As a school we might not be the most competitive sport players, but we do have fun playing,” added Mrs Wright. “It is an exciting time here. We are setting up a ‘Friends of Kymin View’ group to fundraise to help develop the outdoor area and IT provision and to hold an end of half-term disco.

When asked what skills she hopes the children leave with, Mrs Wright said: “Ultimately I want them to be happy and find their place in society.”

Fact File

School: Kymin View Primary School, Wyesham Road, Wyesham, Monmouth

Headteacher: Sally-Ann Wright

Deputy head: Theresa Ryan-Balph

Pupils on roll: 155 of which 23 are part-time nursery

Chairwoman of governors: Councillor Liz Hacket-Pain

Last inspection in 2009

In its most recent inspection, Estyn Inspector Jean Marshall found the school to be caring and one where pupils and staff feel valued and respected.

Pupils make good progress in their social, moral, spiritual and cultural development.

The personal, social and learning skills of the under-fives and pupils across the key stages are good. Pupils are able to work independently, making effective use of their time in problem solving tasks and their standards of behaviour and attendance are good. She found that the quality of teaching is good and that everyone who is involved in the school is committed to its further development and success.The quality and range of learning experiences available to pupils are good and the school provides a broad and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils.