School report: Shamblehurst Primary School in Hedge End, near Southampton

Shamblehurst School in Hedge End has had to adapt in recent years but has enlisted the children’s help to ensure that every pupil feels part of the school community.

Rated good with outstanding features 18 months ago, the school caters for 220 pupils aged four to 11.

Head teacher Kathryn Gott highlighted the school’s multi-culturalism, which she said might prove a surprise to some residents.

In the last three years the school has welcomed pupils who have come to the UK from places like Brazil, Portugal, Romania, India and China, and now the school has 14 different nationalities represented.

This major change has meant bringing in support staff to help these pupils, some of whom had virtually no English when they arrived, but they have settled in well.

In response, the school is also working to be part of the Young Interpreters Scheme.

Under the scheme, children are trained to teach foreign language students the basic language of the playground to ensure they do not get left out, such as how to ask to join in a game of football.

The school’s inclusiveness was highlighted by Ofsted and has also led to it receiving the Inclusion Quality Mark at the end of last year, which recognised how every pupil was treated the same regardless of background, ability or needs.

With claims that children do not have the necessary skills or experience when they enter the jobs market, another feature the school has brought in to give its pupils an early head start is its own jobs board.

Headteacher Kathryn Gott

The idea is that pupils write an application for a ‘job’, go to an interview and get feedback if unsuccessful. Jobs featured on the board are everything from taking care of plants and flowers, to tidying the snug room.

“You see pupils standing at the board and you say ‘what are you doing?’ and they say ‘I’m looking for a job’ – it’s amazing,” said Mrs Gott.

She said the school believes in giving the children an awareness of jobs and future prospects early and in giving children opportunities to take responsibility.

Central to the school, in Wildern Lane, is its six learning values – collaboration, creativity, emotional intelligence, thinking, spirituality and independence. Other recent changes include the new Berry Theatre next door, which the school has taken full advantage of, using its facilities for nativities and end-ofyear dramas as well as attending workshops and plays.