EXCELLENCE and enjoyment for all. That is the mission statement of Bradford on Avon’s Fitzmaurice Primary School and something its headteacher is immensely proud of.

“We ensure that our curriculum is exciting, engaging and caters to each and every child,” said headteacher Tracey Dunn.

“It is absolutely crucial that we do not just focus on academia – it is so much more than that. We pride ourselves on the way we deliver the arts, PE, music, creativity, gardening, cooking and that gives the opportunity for everyone to be successful and excel.

“It is all about aiming high, showing respect and having fun.”

The school is made up of 308 pupils and 15 teachers across 11 classes and has a school council made up of pupils, an eco-friendly group – both of which are made up of pupils from Years 1-6 – and Year 6 house captains in a variety of subject areas.

“The pupil groups cover so many different areas, meaning that so many of the children are involved in something in some way or another,” said Mrs Dunn.

Two and a half years ago, they received a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted but since then the school has gone into overdrive to earn that crowning jewel that is an ‘outstanding’ rating.

“We have worked hard in a lot of areas to better ourselves and give the children a more well-rounded education,” she said.

“Going by our last inspection from the school improvement advisor, she said: ‘This place has the look and feel of an outstanding school,’ which is brilliant.”

Last month the school earned the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag award for its eco-friendly efforts and its forest school arts programme which teaches the children about nature and the environment.

“We are really proud of both of these initiatives. The kids have really got behind them and it is part and parcel of the curriculum to be conscious of these topics,” she said.

In terms of what the future holds, the school is looking to redevelop its tennis court area with a multi sports area if it can raise the funds. In addition to that, on its top field it wants to work with a developer to have a wildflower meadow that will benefit the children and community as well.

“It is an exciting time and we are definitely going in the right direction to where we want to get to,” she said.

“I tell the children regularly how proud I am of them. They are a joy to work with, it is a pleasure coming in every day. They are so enthusiastic, so motivated and so eager to learn. It is a real privilege to be part of their learning experience.”