8:30pm Wednesday 17th April 2013
By Michael Marsh
FOR youngsters coming to Rockwell Green, settling into school life is as easy as ABC.
The school has nurtured a friendly, happy-go-lucky environment for the younger children at its pre-school centre, making the step up to reception class a smooth transition.
This was recognised in the latest OFSTED report published last month, which rated the school as ‘good’ for the second year running.
Head teacher Peter Williamson, who has been at the helm for 19 years, said: “The school is the hub of the village and I think that’s what a school should be. That’s why I wanted a pre-school here.
“It’s the focus of the village and I hope we get it right.”
It’s not just the youngsters who make up the Rockwell Green school population – there’s the school dog, Dipper, the golden retriever, who sits by the head’s side as he marks out the next area for improvement.
“I’m very pleased with the latest OFSTED report,” said Mr Williamson, who plans to retire in July 2014.
“I’ve got a great team here and they really performed on the day.
“We’ve got some development points for the future to make it an outstanding school, which I think we can achieve.”
The 164-pupil school dates back to 1972 and has an oldfashioned open plan design, but exciting times are ahead with a major re-development earmarked for next year – something Mr Williamson is eagerly anticipating before he makes way for his successor.
He said: “We’re going to be rebuilt from the inside. With some development money from a new housing estate it’s going to be made more modern, creating classrooms with walls and doors – that’s the most exciting thing my teachers have heard in years!
“They can’t wait to have a door so they can have peace and quiet in their room.
“The reason I’ve been here 19 years is that I genuinely enjoy coming to work.
“I have a fabulous team and the parents are very supportive because it’s ‘their’ local school – it’s ‘the’ village school."
© Copyright 2001-2013 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/trade_directory/