Jenny O’Grady has three children, aged six, seven and eight, at the school. Her teenage daughter also went there. She said: “It’s a lovely school. I live near Poole Park but I’m happy to travel over here to bring them.”

Kate Cruickshank, mum of Ellie-May, seven, and Sophie, four, said: “It’s a great school. They were at a different school before and it did them no good. Here they get everything. Teachers have more time for the kids.”

Teaching assistant of 16 years, Lesley Ison, also teaches swimming and runs after-school clubs. Her three grown-up children loved their time at Hillbourne. She said: “The whole ethos is just fantastic. It’s like a family.”

Teaching assistant Caroline Calvert, is also a school governor. The former pupil said: “It’s a really special place. I thought I was going to stay for a while and now I’ve been here 17 years. Staff work as a team.”

Kacey Carr, nine, said: “We get to learn new things in different ways. I like that my friends help me out, and if you have a problem the teachers will make it easier for you.”

Zack Bolster, eight, said: “I like it here because sometimes the teachers give me harder words to spell because I am good at that. You can make new friends.”

Charlotte Neale, 11, said: “School’s fun but you learn as well. My school sounds a lot more fun to ones my friends are at. You can really interact with the teachers. They are really friendly.”