THE hard work that staff at West Ashton Primary School put in over the summer has paid off after they opened a combined classroom for nursery and reception children.

Early years teacher, Sandra Meehan, explained the school gets a small amount of reception children because there are no nurseries in the village, so children go to Trowbridge instead. They then tend to move on to primary schools in the county town, at West Ashton’s expense.

In an effort to bring in more pupils to the school, Mrs Meehan and headteacher Debby Huxham came up with the idea of starting a Foundation Stage Unit, which combines the existing reception pupils with a new influx of nursery age pupils.

This week, three and four-year-olds have been exploring the old reception and Year 1 class, which has been converted into an art, literacy, maths and role play learning area, and so far it has been very well received.

“We have had the nursery kids in this week and they love it. They just zoom in and enjoy playing and learning,” said Mrs Meehan.

“Those now in Year 1 have popped their heads in and they love the look of it. We came up with this idea in January and we spent all summer getting it ready.

“I am delighted that it has been well received.”

Currently there are six nursery children, aged three and four, and six reception children, aged four and five.

Mrs Huxham added: “The school has been on a journey in the last couple of years. This is a way to bring the numbers up.

“This is something different to what other schools provide.”

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