BEING part of a larger federation brings benefits to staff and pupils at Drove Primary School.

The primary school, in the middle of Swindon, is a three-form entry school with about 650 children on the roll.

Drove also has its own nursery for children from aged from two to four, as well as a children’s centre.

The school is part of the White Horse Federation, as well as being the joint partner in a Teaching School for the DfE and NCSL.

Principal Helen Swanson said: “A relaxed yet dynamic feeling now pervades the school with an ethos which suggests anything is possible.”

She said the school aimed to give pupils the roots to grow from a solid academic footing which ensures that every child reaches their full potential especially in the key areas of literacy, numeracy, science and ICT.

“The wings to fly as a person, secure in knowing who they are and what they want from life,” she said.

“To this end we endeavour to ensure that children are encouraged to understand the high expectations we have of them and that they have the right to expect from us.

“At Drove we are rightly proud of the rich tapestry of culture, religion, colour and faith which has become the hallmark of our school. We welcome and celebrate a mosaic of over 40 different home languages and 26 cultures making our school a vibrant centre of multiculturalism.”

And she said the teaching philosophy of the school was aimed at providing bespoke programmes for each pupil’s needs.

“Our teaching philosophy is simple - we aim to combine the best of tried and tested methodology with new and innovative ways of teaching,” she said.

“Our biggest asset at Drove is our knowledge of children both academically and emotionally.

“This allows us, where necessary, to bespoke teaching and learning programmes to their individual needs. Our biggest ally is the parents of our pupils and we rely on a close working relationship with them to help us make their child’s life with us the most profitable it could be.”

Recent achievements at the school include receiving a Quality Mark for basic skills and being awarded teaching school status.