The saying children should be seen and not heard is not the tune played at Wallace Fields Junior School as some of its pupils prepare for a Christmas carol concert at London's Victoria station.

Every year children from the school, in Dorling Drive, Epsom, go and sing to raise money for Save The Children, the school's main charity.

Helping children develop confidence and skills is the name of the game at Wallace Fields, as Bob Mapleson, the headteacher for the last two years, pointed out.

He said: "We have a mission statement that children from our school demonstrate by their actions, confidence and optimism for the future, understanding and tolerance of others, and enthusiasm for learning and achieving success.

"It is a lovely school with lovely children. They are all very competent and polite."

Wallace Fields certainly gives its pupils the opportunity to do their best with ample facilities, including a computer room, library, school fields and a sports hall.

Mr Mapleson said: "We are in a digital age now and it is important children develop the skills necessary as soon as possible."

But it is the staff at Wallace Fields who help the children develop their own individual talents.

Mr Mapleson said: "The staff are very professional and great to work with. The governors are also very competent and it is great to have a critical friend helping us to improve the school."

Ofsted commented in its last report the quality of education was very good and the management and efficiency was also very good.

Mr Mapleson added: "Achieving high standards is our number one job but I believe in developing the whole person and making the most of all their talents, including those outside the classroom."

And there is plenty to occupy the 272 children, who vary in age from seven to 11, as there are after-school and lunch break clubs including table tennis, music lessons, French lessons, country dancing, netball and football.

Even playtime is spiced up with games of draughts and chess on the specially designed laminated table tops in the playground.

Mr Mapleson said: "We also encourage children to share their successes out of school with the other children.

"Every Tuesday I hand out certificates to children who have worked hard or been especially polite and helpful."

As it is the year of science, Wallace Fields has been doing its bit to promote the subject.

Each month the school is focusing on a different aspect. In September the school took part in the big jump, with every student jumping in time with thousands of other schoolchildren across the country to see if they could get the earth to move.

"The children loved doing that," Mr Mapleson said. "And we are doing a science quiz this month."

November 16, 2001 09:34