Milton Hall Primary School and Nursery - an extremely happy learning community

Milton Hall Primary School and Nursery have been nominated in the Happiest School category of the National Happiness Awards 2018.

The nomination has been submitted by Debbie Priest, Headteacher of Milton Hall, who thinks her school is:

'an amazing happy learning community where everyone really does count! Inspiring and exciting encouraging all to reach for the stars and have fun along the way.

'With over 46 languages spoken and many pupils coming from the most disadvantaged backgrounds we provide opportunities for our families they would not otherwise have to ensure they can "Dream it, Believe it and Achieve it".

'We actively engage parents in their child’s learning. Workshops, celebration days/assemblies, parent and child sessions, library café, shared lunches, Grandparent days, coffee drop-in sessions etc. A large pastoral team support parents and pupils with social/emotional needs and offer support and advice at all times. We also have'Ollie' the dog visit regularly and he always makes us feel good! We offer English classes for EAL parents and ensure communications are translated. We were recently awarded the Leading Parent Partnership Award.

'Who else has a real plane? Transformed into an amazing learning space by staff, it doubles up at Christmas as the plane that flies our youngsters to the ‘North Pole’ where they visit Santa’s Grotto in Lapland (our immersion room is turned into the real Santa’s Grotto) A drama and dance Studio, TV studio, recording studio, music room, editing room, Green screen room etc. all ensure engagement in and excitement for learning.

'Drama and media are at the heart of all we do. The use of a full-time drama teacher has transformed the confidence, speaking and listening, reading and writing skills of all our pupils as results testify. A staff panto every Christmas is produced, directed and performed by our very own staff to the delight of everyone!

We passionately believe in nurturing and developing staff as well as our pupils. Our drama teacher used to be an LSA in school, talent-spotted we gave him a year out to attend drama school and has returned as our outstanding Head of Drama. Our Attendance Officer became Head of media, and two LSA’s took on photography and sound. Three LSA’s have also embarked on teacher training with us. A well -being package for staff provides ‘wellbeing days’, personal resilience training, a staff celebration ‘shout-out board’ in the staff room celebrating achievements, acts of kindness etc. free yoga classes and gym membership, outstanding CPD etc. Happy staff =happy pupils!

'We work closely with our elderly population, our youngsters regularly visit them in the local home where they read with them, draw, sing and play games. They also come to us for Christmas lunch!

'Milton Hall has gone from an undersubscribed school to the school of choice. Results continue to improve and this year were outstanding when considering the really low starting points of pupils. Progress placed us in the top 5% nationally for maths and top 20% for RWM and attainment exceeded national expectations, we believe down to high staff and pupil morale and the pride they place in their school.

'We are extremely proud of our inspirational staff and polite, kind, wonderful happy pupils that will go on to be outstanding citizens of our global community and we know we are an extremely happy learning community'

Can your school or organisation match Milton Hall Primary School and Nursery in achievement and levels of happiness? Tell us about them - nominate them for one of the six categories in this year's National Happiness Awards 2018.