THERE are nearly 600 children on the roll at Accrington’s Peel Park Primary School and that makes it the largest in the county.

Now it has another claim to fame as the first to win the Primary School of the Year title in the Lancashire Telegraph Schools Awards.

The category, sponsored by First Class Learning, was keenly contested by schools from across five East Lancashire boroughs in rural as well as urban settings.

But judges were impressed by the energy, spirit and range of activities on offer to pupils in an area where many families face challenging problems and often look to school staff for help.

The school’s motto is ‘High expectations, every child, no excuses’ and youngsters are consistently challenged to achieve highly.

An Ofsted rating of outstanding in every category is testament to the success of a school which children leave with results that are significantly above national expectations and other schools in the county.

“The school owes its success to the incredibly hard working staff and the teamwork that exists between all members of the school community.

“Children are rigorously assessed and tracked through school so that they all make rapid progress and no child is allowed to fall behind,” said headteacher Judith Williams.

But it’s not just in traditional academic subjects that the school excels.

Pupils are involved in forest schools, gardening through allotments and raised beds, and even keeping pigeons, to help them develop confidence, independence, social skills and a respect for themselves and their surroundings.

Curling, basketball, drama, a school newspaper, i-board and science are a few of the extra-curricular activities on offer as well as the normal sports and traditional clubs.

Recognised nationally as a ‘School of Creativity’, Peel Park has also this year achieved an Arts Mark Gold Award and, as a ‘Rights Respecting School’, children have taken part in campaigns to fight world hunger and even met Prime Minister David Cameron at Downing Street to push for action to minimise food wastage.

And families are encouraged to become involved with the school and take part in various activities with youngsters. Peel Park has become the only school in the North West to implement a ‘FAST’ programme (Families and Schools Together), sponsored by Save the Children, in which families meet each week after school to take part in activities and eat a meal together.

“Peel Park is a dynamic and exciting school to be in,” said Mrs Williams.

  • Judges also commended Cedars Primary School, Blackburn, and Barrowford Primary School.