EVERY child can aspire to greatness.

This is the philosophy of Priory Primary School in Christchurch which strives to give each of its pupils a stake in their own education.

Head teacher Claire King is keen to hand her students responsibility and the chance to be leaders at every opportunity, preparing them for the real world whilst still encouraging flair and creativity.

This even goes for the recruitment of new teachers, where the youngsters will think up questions for their prospective charges.

“The children interview the new staff,” Claire explains. “The school council, as a group, have a question per child and the candidate has to answer each of the questions.

“It makes them feel they have had a real say in things and that it really is their school.”

The school is always looking for new ways to build a sense of community, incorporating a ‘buddy system’ which sees older children look out for the their younger peers. They have play leaders, a head boy and girl, prefects, captains of houses and more – there is a whole sophisticated and happy little civilisation.

“Our children love school,” Claire beams. “They come skipping in every day and they share their enthusiasm and their talents with us.

“And I couldn’t ask for a better team of teachers – they are always thinking of ways to do the best for the children.”

She is also keen to emphasise the importance of thinking to the future, and that doesn’t just mean the close relationship with the nearby secondary schools, it means thinking even more long-term.

“We don't know, as adults, what the children's lives will be like as adults,” she says.

“We don't know what kind of jobs, what kind of technology and how advanced things will be.

“We have to do our very best to prepare them with the skills and attributes they need so they are best prepared to face the challenges they come across and to make a positive contribution in society.”

The school has four learning values – discovery, independence, partnership and creativity alongside its ethos of love, forgiveness and respect.

This shines through in the politeness of the students, the care taken on the displays which line the corridors and the pride the teachers have in their progress.

“The teachers have worked hard together,” says Claire. “I think it is that working hard together which has helped us achieve what we needed to. Things needed to be embedded. We already had systems in place but embedding them consistently across the school is what got us our good Ofsted report.”