Magor Church in Wales Primary School has gone through a period of change, our reporter Carys Thomas went to find out.

THE primary school which is situated on Sycamore Terrace as a church school take pupils from all over Gwent. Parts of the school are more than 150 years old and the primary has been through a number of extensions to accommodate the growing number of pupils over the years.

Angela Davies, headteacher, who has been in the role for one year said the school has gone through a transitional period as they said goodbye to their previous headteacher who left the school after being in the role for more than 20 years.

Miss Davies said the school has strong links with the community including Magor with Undy Community Council who let the children use the field near the school for play time and sports activities.

She said: "We are not a school in isolation we are very much a part of the community."

"It's a wonderful place to be. It's a church school part of the church family within our own community and the wider community.

“It's a blessing to be with such lovely children, staff and school governors."

The school will be transforming their hall and developing their library space into a digital hub in the form of a spaceship. They have already painted the new library space white in preparation to create the space ship but are hoping to create artwork showing windows of what you can see from space. The new space will not only be a digital space but will also be an area for support groups.

Miss Davies said: “There will be lots of physical changes as the school is quite old in parts. We want to bring the whole school up to the same standard. We hope refurbishment will be complete within the next academic year - that’s the goal.”

The school are appealing to anyone who has any materials they could use for the spaceship to get in contact.

The Argus visited the school on the day Wales played England in the Euros. Children were allowed to dress in colours to support their football teams and as a treat were allowed to watch the game.

They had been learning about European countries and Welsh heritage as part of the week leading up to the big game.

The school are really proud of their outdoor learning space for the reception class where children can learn inside and outside. There are two reception classes of 23 and 24 children who can free flow indoor to the outdoors.

Nadine Phillips, acting assistant headteacher, said the children love their outdoor areas.

She said: “The children have taken ownership of it.”

The school have a rota system where Year 6 pupils support the infant children on the yard. The primary have a very active and supportive PTA who have funded Ipads for the school.

Sarah Wall, key stage two manager, Year 3 teacher said she started off as a parent then a governor before becoming a teacher at the school. She said: "It's a school I'm very proud of and have sent my own children here."

There are many talented musicians at the school including Emily James, 11, who will be trying for her grade four on violin soon and also plays the glockenspiel. Joe McSweeney,11, is grade one on trombone and grade three on drums.

Sean Linton, 11, is grade six on cello, grade six on tuba and grade two on piano.

All the children in reception class who are four and five-years-old have had the opportunity to learn the violin from the Gwent Music Support Service.

Ms Wall said: "At Magor we like to think educate the whole child rather than only academic and curriculum subjects."

As a church school pupils take part in daily worship and singing. Ms Wall said: "Children enjoy that part of life as we are a church school."

The school regularly go to St Mary’s Church for services led by the schools chair of governors reverend Jeremy Harris. Miss Davies, the headteacher, said he is a 'superb' chair of governors who is 'logical,' 'fair', 'caring' and 'consistent.'

The school is part of the Diocese of Monmouth and comes under Bishop Richard Pain.

The primary has a nursery based at the site called Stepping Stones. They also run a before school club from 8am and then their breakfast club from 8.30am.

The school have two classes for each year group apart from Year 5 and 6 who are mixed together in three classes. Miss Davies said this is proving successful.

Pupils at the school took part in Wildlife Wizards, an environmental quiz organised by the Gwent Wildlife Trust. Four pupils represented the school to showcase their knowledge of the environment who were Ben David, Year 5, William Anderson, Year 6, Jessica O'Shaunessy, Year 4 and Evelyn-Rose Matthewson, Year 4. The team won the first round, won the Monmouthshire semi-final and were runners up at the Gwent final.

They have a number of school clubs and sports teams including hockey and football.

The last Estyn inspection was in 2010 under the old system and is due to be inspected within the next year.

In 2010, they achieved the highest grade of one for learners care, guidance and support.

The school were marked as grade two good features and no important shortcomings on how well learners achieve.

Fact file:

Headteacher - Angela Davies

Pupils: 320

Largest class: Year 5 and 6 (Three classes of 30 each)

Motto: Jesus helps us shine.

Chairman of governors: Rev Jeremy Harris