IT’S the Hampshire school that looks at “the big picture.”

Teachers at St James Church of England Primary School in West End say their school is at the heart of the community.

Head teacher Michelle Marsh – who has been at the school since 2015 – says one project has had “magical” results.

Intergenerational work has given pupils the chance to make friends with older West End residents.

Skilled knitters have come to the school to teach children how to make crafts – with artwork being displayed in shops around West End and given out to dementia patients in the area.

Mrs Marsh said: “It’s been really exciting and incredibly powerful. It’s had a very positive influence on the children’s lives. It was the whole aspect of being listened to. Families lead such busy lives that for the children to have these older people really listening to them was really magical.”

The school is also a hub for professional development – with teachers encouraged to train up as senior and middle leaders.

Mrs Marsh added: “It’s something we believe passionately. We don’t just develop children, we develop staff. We work with the ETC Alliance on developing stronger teachers as well as a middle leaders programme. Some of them are leading the curriculum or parts of it. We link with lots of other schools too.”

Mrs Marsh added: “It’s something we believe passionately. We don’t just develop children, we develop staff. We work with the ETC Alliance on developing stronger teachers as well as a middle leaders programme. Some of them are leading the curriculum or parts of it. We link with lots of other schools too.” Mrs Marsh added that although pupil results were down two years ago, last year they were above national average – and staff are asked to go and support other teachers in other schools.