IT MIGHT be a small school but Curry Rivel staff and students do not let that hold them back.

The school is set in the heart of the village and headteacher Peter Staddon is keen to make sure it reflects the ethos of village life.

And with continued expansion that seems to be paying off.

Mr Staddon, who has been head since September, said: “As a small school, it can be difficult to be sustainable in the long term and we don’t always have the expertise that perhaps bigger schools with more staff have.

“But there are also many advantages and for me the main one is the closeness we have with our parents and the children.

"We have an outstanding set of staff and we all know the pupils – it brings a very different atmosphere but one that works.”

The school offers wraparound care and Mr Staddon feels this is unique – it means the school is open most of the year, outside of term time, offering activities for children from the age of two to 11.

He added: “Here in Curry Rivel, the school is very much at the heart of the village, so keeping it open for most of the year means we can keep the school alive.

“I think parents really appreciate it and it helps our sustainability.”

As well as the primary school, the site is home to Little Pips Nursery, which shares its curriculum with Key Stage One.

Mr Staddon said lots of play and physical activity was part of the curriculum to make it as enjoyable for pupils as possible.

“It may sound far-fetched but the more physical activity you do when you’re younger, the stronger your muscles are to help with your writing.

“It works really well for our younger pupils and we’re trying to find a way to incorporate similar ideas into Key Stage Two.

“We’re currently digging up our front playground and bringing in boulders, a water tower, fallen tree and a building area.

“We want to encourage the children to create their own play and use the materials there to create something.

“We aren’t too focused on labels, we just want the children to achieve their very best.”