THEY may seem a little young but the pupils of Bearwood Primary and Nursery School in Poole are off to university.

The Barons Road school is about to embark on the innovative Children’s University Programme and is the first in the area to take part.

The nationwide programme ensures youngsters are involved in innovate learning experiences and activities outside of the classroom, before and after school and at lunchtimes.

And the children who take part will “graduate” at the end of the academic year.

It is just one of a number of initiatives designed to prepare pupils for the big wide world.

Another ensures they examine potential careers and get to meet inspirational people.

“Why wait until they go to secondary school?” said new head teacher Laura Bennett.

“If children understand why they need to learn certain things it helps to inspire them.”

Laura took the helm at the beginning of September and has ambitious plans for the school.

She hopes to expand the nursery and also boost numbers.

There are currently just 216 pupils there, with one form in each year group, but there’s plenty of room for more.

The school used to have two classes in each year group and Mrs Bennett hopes to restore it to its former glory.

Pupils achieve well with results in the top 25 per cent of the country.

From Bearwood they go on to a variety of secondary schools in the area including the Oak Academy, Bourne Academy and local grammar schools.

Key to the plans for the future are hopes for greater involvement with the community and closer links with parents.

This is Mrs Bennett’s first headship and she is determined to make her mark.

“This is already a good school but we want to build on the good foundations and take it to outstanding,” she told the Echo.

Among the extra-curricular activities on offer are surf club, karate, cheerleading, basketball and circus skills and it is clear the children are happy in their learning.

Top-notch facilities at the nearby LeAF campus are also used for beach volleyball and dance.

The nursery uses the same facilities as the Reception class and opens in the mornings. There are currently spaces available.

Factfile

Bearwood Primary and Nursery School, Barons Road, Bearwood, BH11 9UN

Telephone:  01202 590703

Email: school@bearwood.poole.sch.uk

Mixed intake, number of pupils: 216

Age range: 3-11

OFSTED: Last full inspection carried out in October 2012

Overall rating:  Good

Inspectors said: “Teaching and learning are good overall.  The majority of lessons are engaging and promote pupils’ interests.  Pupils’ personal development is good.  Pupils have positive attitudes to their learning and behaviour while in and around the school. The governing body ensures pupils are safe at school and that safeguarding procedures meet statutory requirements.”

What parents, teachers and pupils have to say about their school

PARENT Stacie Ward’s five children have all attended the school. She said: “I love this school. I moved out of catchment briefly but soon moved back so my children could go here. The parent community is awesome and works so hard. The teachers are awesome and always go the extra mile.”

YEAR 6 pupil Lauren Carter, 10, said: “I like my school because it is very friendly. If anyone is upset there is always someone there for them. We have playground buddies so people always have someone to play with.”

DANIEL Polychronopulos, six, is in Year 2. He said: “All the learning at my school is very enjoyable and I love all the singing and music we do. After school I go to art club and I’m in the choir as well.”

EARLY Years leader and nursery teacher Angela Coleman said: “We are in a very exciting place at the moment. We enhance the children’s learning with enrichment activities to broaden their horizons. We have recently had our best results ever and are top of the Borough of Poole for Early Years Foundation Stage.”

RECEPTION teacher Kathy Lockyer said: “The ethos and feel of the school are very positive and there is great communication between the school and the parents. We have an outside learning area to give the children a space where they feel confident to explore.”