IT’S a school which encourages pupils to make a big splash.

Romsey-based Cupernham Junior School is one of only a few in Hampshire to have its own heated swimming pool. Pupils are taught to swim throughout late spring until October in the 20-metre long pool, which is popular with pupils and is used for recreational swimming during the summer holidays and evenings.

Built in the 1970s Cupernham Junior School’s catchment area serves a large area. This includes parts of Cupernham, Belbins, Woodley, Crampmoor and Abbotswood – an 800-home urban village still being built to the north-east of Romsey. There are more than 300 pupils at the school which caters for seven to 11-year-old children.

“At this school we are extremely proud of our achievements both in and out of the classroom. The achievement of excellence in all aspects of school life is the overriding aim of all staff and governors. We are not complacent in being proud of our achievements and continually strive to improve our ability to ensure a relevant education for every pupil,” said the headteacher Jonathan Clay.

Ofsted chiefs rated the school ‘good’ when it was last inspected during September last year. The Government school watchdog said Cupernham Junior School’s curriculum contributes “well to pupils achievement” and it has “very effective” systems are in place to help disadvantaged pupils.

Ofsted officials also noted that one of the school’s strengths is that it is “extremely well” organised with an “exciting” curriculum.

Pupils have the opportunity to attend a breakfast club and an afterschool club is run by the Bransley Close-based school.

Other popular clubs include karate, gardening and flight.

Cupernham Infants has extensive grounds and within them is a garden tended by the pupils. This includes a fruit and veggie plot. There is also plenty of space for pupils to let off steam and enjoy themselves between lessons. There is also a play trail and outdoor sports facilities at the school.

The school has been upgraded and extended over the years and it has 12 classes across the school age groups. Facilities include a large multi-purpose hall, a combined music-drama studio, and a refurbished library equipped with a wide-range of books to help with pupils studies.

Cupernham Junior School is modern in every way and it has the latest computer technology with a specialist IT suite and a bank of laptops and iPads.

Like all schools, Cupernham Junior has a parent teacher association which stages numerous events to raise cash to provide equipment not generally available through the school budget. Fundraising activities include discos, film nights and summer and Christmas Fairs. This year’s Christmas Fair is on Friday, December 4 between 3.20pm and 4.30pm.

Meals are cooked on the premises by a team from Hampshire County Council’s Hampshire Catering Services. Cupernham Junior School works closely with its feeder school Cupernham Infant’s and pupils are placed in four house groups for sporting and other activities. The groups – Birch, Oak, Pine and Walnut – take their name from trees in the grounds.