Development, support and consultation appear to be the key words at Dorchester Primary School in Worcester Park. In the past year the school has developed a double award-winning website, instigated an honours board to encourage and support the children and drafted a new vision statement and home school agreement, to be finalised after consultation with parents and pupils.

Deputy headteacher Mrs Emma Wormersley said: "We try to have a team between the parents, staff, governors and children it really is the four of us working together."

Parents play an important part in the school, helping with students, raising much-needed funds and decorating new buildings, in addition to their obligations under the home school agreement. It is clear their input is appreciated as the school operates an open door policy.

Input from children is not only valued but actively sought, according to Mrs Wormersley. She said: "We are trying to involve the children a lot more in the running of the school. We have a head boy, head girl and prefects. We are looking at having a school council where children are involved a lot more in the decisions."

Dorchester Primary gives its pupils the opportunity to do their best with ample facilities, including a new library, large hall, adventure play areas and several playing fields.

Mr Wormersley said approximately £15,000 had been spent on buying books for the new library which parents had decorated with hand-painted murals.

Last year the year six pupils organised a sponsored bounce on a bouncy castle to raise money for Downs Syndrome awareness day, a special day for the school which has four children with Downs Syndrome in its infant and junior classes.

In addition to winning an award for its website, the school has won awards from the Downs Syndrome Association and an Atlas award. The school received the Atlas award because it showed outstanding commitment and achievement in supporting children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

These awards indicate the school has a talented and dedicated teaching staff, which is reflected in the favourable Ofsted report the school received three years ago.

Mrs Wormersley said: "We have got a really good team. They are very lively, fun-loving staff who are very dedicated and work very long hours."

December 12, 2001 11:00