News From Ilam CofE (VA) School

Towards the end of July I have to say that working here has been a little like working in a farm yard. We have had straw from one end of the school to the other. I still can’t believe that so many ‘bits of straw’ can come from two bales; by the way the two bales didn’t look any less or worse for being on stage. Yes, all this was due to our end of school year production of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’. Every child participated and no over rehearsing took place which meant that other areas of learning were not neglected. The absolutely best part was seeing the enjoyment on all the pupils’ faces as they performed and hearing the giggles when they saw each other in costume for the dress rehearsal. They all sang beautifully too, in fact the best singing I’ve heard all year. In addition to this the audiences were asked for voluntary donations to the Lydia Home in Romania and over £160 was given, thank you. Well done to everyone.

National Sports Week at the end of June saw us join together with our two cluster schools, The Valley at Oakamoor and Faber at Cotton. We joined them for a Reception and Key Stage 1 sports afternoon on the Tuesday, Key Stage 2 sports on the Wednesday and rounders on the Thursday. Everyone enjoyed taking part.

Class 2 have been particularly busy recently. They joined with Class 3 for a visit to see Tarka the Otter at Buxton’s Opera House. This was an introduction to opera performed by children for children. A picnic in the Pavilion Gardens followed and they spent the rest of the afternoon learning in the outdoor environment.

Class 2 have also spent the day at Blackbrook Zoo. There they learnt about different habitats and feeding. The weather was reasonably kind to them and the children had a lovely day.

Class 4 were not blessed with such co-operative weather on their carpentry day. They had designed a hexagonally shaped shed but due to the forecast of heavy rain they had to scale down their plans and make benches, fixed into a hexagon big enough to seat a whole class. This was because you can’t build a shed inside school and then get it through the doorway! But you can build individual benches and fix them together later. The three pupils who were project managers decided on the modified design, calculated what materials were required, visited a timber merchants and bought the wood and then organised everything else. They did have some support from Ms Wilson and Mr Bowden including risk assessments and help with using the power tools!! The finished benches are very impressive.

You may notice the odd builders van etc during the holidays as we are having some internal alterations to make one of our classrooms bigger, create a new staffroom and to increase the number of toilet facilities for pupils.

Finally, we have secured an Awards for All National Lottery Grant for £10,000 to replace our worn out climbing frame. The children have just voted on their preferred option and work should start soon.

Mrs Carol Gunn, Headteacher