IT’S a school at the heart of a Southampton community.

Foundry Lane Primary School has been teaching pupils in the Shirley area for more than 100 years and it is now one of the biggest primary schools in the city.

But this summer will see the start of a new chapter in its history as its new head teacher is set to take over the helm.

Daily Echo: Andy Withers and Sean Taylor.

Sean Taylor, who currently has been the deputy head teacher for 10 years, is preparing to go onwards and upwards as he takes over from retiring head Andy Withers.

The dad-of-two from Hedge End will embark on his new role in September.

He has already been at the school for two decades.

He first started at the infant school Rebecca Pearson yourSAY Sebaztien Naguna, 10, who’s in year five, said: “I like how all the children here are really kind and they respect each other. I have lots of friends.”

Isaac Hiscott, eight, who’s in year three, said: “I like that you do lots of fun things like school performances and we have lots of space to play.”

Gabriella Olakekan, eight, who’s in year four, said: “I like that there’s lots of after school clubs. My favourite is the choir because I like to sing.”

in the 90s as a newly qualified teacher and is now returning after a period of working at a different school.

He says he hopes to carry on the good work started by Andy, who has been at Foundry Lane Primary School for 27 years.

Sean said: “The reason that I have come back is that no other school is like this one.

“I think it’s the extent that all the staff here care about every child and want the best for every child.

“One of our aims is that every child achieves their potential in some way and all the staff work towards that.

“Because of that the children do better and better.

“I think there’s a great team of people here in the school and the values Andy has put in place have left the school in such a good position to move forward.”

As well as helping the school grow, welcoming an extra 100 pupils by 2018, he hopes to see the school achieve outstanding in its next Ofsted inspection.

Foundry Lane achieved a ‘good’ rating in its last inspection in 2012.

The school aims to not only support a child in reaching their academic potential but also helps them grow socially.

There is also an emphasis on developing life skills and talents.

The school encourages students to follow its set of six values and take part in the Southampton Civic Awards.

The awards help them to become responsible citizens.

The school also organises a wide range of clubs.

They include sports teams and a stilt walking club, which has seen more than 30 students practice their balance.

The school works hard to help children transition to the next year group by providing opportunities for them to meet their new teachers and Year 6 pupils go on several visits to their secondary schools.

It makes the effort to involve the wider community by putting on regular school plays, fundraisers, festivals and fetes as well as supporting parents by offering such services as parenting courses and counselling.

Daily Echo: Outside Learning in the schools garden. 

GREENFINGERED children enjoy helping in Foundry Lane Primary School’s gardens.

Youngsters grow a wide range of flowers and produce throughout the year and learn about how plants grow and reproduce.

They also regularly take their books outside and take part in chalk writing, poetry, maths and musical activities in their vast play areas as part of the school’s work as a Trailblazer School.

Children help environmental teaching assistant Suzi Hoskins look after the grounds and are set regular growing challenges.

They often grow themed vegetables including unusual coloured potatoes and raspberries and take part in competitions.

This summer young growers have been creating fairy gardens using miniature versions of plants and flowers which will be entered into the Southampton in Bloom competition.

They have also been challenged to grow the tallest sunflower. 

Daily Echo: Pupils Lauren Leckenby (in white shirt) and Lydia Barucka walking on stilts.

FOUNDRY Lane Primary School comes to life every day with an array of activities - from sports clubs to homework and handwriting clubs.

The school even has its own stilt walking club where children spend weeks improving their balance.

There is also a thriving girls football team with more than 24 players, netball and basket ball teams as well as a fencing club and a host of gymnasts and dancers.

Children are given a list of activities they can take part in each half term.

Deputy head Sean Taylor said: “It’s finding as many things as we can that children can be good at. We try to do lots of different things and children feel really proud of themselves and gain confidence.”

Other community groups and clubs are also welcomed onto the school grounds which many children are a part of.

Daily Echo: Kerensa Pickering with her Southampton Civic Award

CHILDREN are encouraged to learn life skills and how to be good citizens.

Year two and year six pupils at Foundry Lane Primary School take part in the Southampton Civic Award programme.

Launched in 1985 it is primary school children’s answer to the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The school is just one of four in Southampton that take part in the junior awards programme and they have taken part in the 30-year-old scheme for the last 29 years.

In year two, children spend six months taking photographs and log things they have helped with at home including cooking or washing cars.

They also plan activities and games for an event for year one students.

This year, all 90 year two pupils began the award which takes six to eight months to complete. 

There is a Saturday morning Polish school, a play group and weekly judo and karate classes. 

Daily Echo: Pupils pictured in front of the School values board.

FOUNDRY Lane Primary School is run with a set of core values.

Respect, responsibility, community, lifelong learning, reaching potential and maintaining high self-esteem is at the centre of all activities, classes, community projects and assemblies at the school.

The values are also on display within the school and parents and members of the community are shown how they are the centre of their work.

The school is also one of 850 cooperative schools in the UK, teaching the values of self help and responsibility, equity, equality, democracy and solidarity.

Daily Echo: Pupils enjoying a school trip to London 

 

CHILDREN were sent to the dungeons as they learnt more about London.

Year four went on a school trip where they stayed overnight on HMS Belfast and explored Tower Bridge and The Globe Theatre, took a boat trip up the Thames and ate in a London restaurant.

School trips are one of the ways Foundry Lane Primary School tries to bring the curriculum to life.

The events are also aimed at helping help teach youngsters more about the world they live in.

Activities range from visits, challenges, performing and hosting special visitors.