The Colleton Primary celebrates 50 years

A BBC Radio 2 DJ, a bright red dragon and a local MP all came together on Saturday, June 24 to mark the 50th anniversary of The Colleton Primary School with students and staff past and present.

A ‘through the decades’ fete was held in the grounds of the school, kicking-off several months of celebration, leading up to the official date next January.

There were stalls and games, music and food, face painting and a silent disco and even a bit of gardening.

Before the dragon leapt to the stage to bless the school with luck, children from the guitar, drum, dance, judo clubs plus singing groups sang songs through the ages.

Watching them was visiting MP Theresa May and husband Sir Philip May, who were taken on a tour of the festivities by headteacher Michelle Law.

“It was just such a good community event and seeing the children perform as well, it was a really nice opportunity to showcase some of our children's talents and everyone seemed to have a lovely time,” said Michelle, who mentioned that Theresa showed a real interest in the school.

“She talked about the fact that she’s always really liked our school and asked if we still individualised our learning, and we had a little chat about Ofsted which was quite interesting.

“She said she talked to Amanda Spielman and understands the challenges that schools are facing so it was really nice to be able to have that discussion with her and for her to recognise how difficult it is in schools at the moment with the whole Ofsted agenda.

“And she spent quite a bit of time with us. Philip also won a bottle on the tombola and seemed really interested in everything as well.”

Looking back at the way the school has developed but also held on to its original ethos, Michelle said that she is ‘so proud’.

“I am so proud of all of our children and our environment.

"I think it's a great place for the work and it's a great place to see children learn and develop.

"I'm really, really proud of everything we're doing.

"And it was such a success on Saturday.”

Michelle became headteacher in September 2020 during challenging times.

“We try to have a team ethos at our school.

"It’s all about making sure that we work together as a team and that children are team taught, in some cases.

“Of course, that became difficult during COVID, but we're really trying to bring that back in and make sure that that uniqueness, if you like, is celebrated and possible again.

“We've always really celebrated and recognized the whole child.

"As a school we've expanded over those 50 years.

"We've got so much open space in terms of our forest school and we have chickens on site.

"We’ve got a lovely big area considering how built up Twyford is.

“We're really proud of the fact that the school is coming up to 50 years.”

The official celebration is on January 4, when the school first opened to children.

It is hoped that students from that first year and the years after will join in forthcoming celebrations and trips down memory lane.

“I'm really tapping into that now, trying to find photos and make a bit of an exhibition.

"We have parents who loved it here and send their children here, so we've got generations of Colleton families which is really lovely, and I’m hoping they’ll all contribute to the memory gathering,” added Michelle.

Memories were also captured on the day with a ‘gift tag wall’ where visitors could write their recollections and wishes and BBC Radio 2 DJ and staff member, Jules Lang, interviewed staff past and present in a special radio show.

Vice president of the school’s PTA, Caron Cartmell, was part of the hardworking team who organized the day.

She said she was pleased that so many of the community came out to celebrate.

“We opened the fete up to everyone, especially alumni.

"Older children loved coming back to help their school, they volunteered to help out on stalls.

“We also had a sensory garden for our children that might struggle with busy spaces.

"There is a lovely garden that offers a quiet space to do some planting so we are renewing that space as well.

“We are different to other schools.

"When you step into The Colleton it feels different, there are more open spaces, younger children are learning from older children.

"It’s that Montessori-style where the individual’s needs are catered for.

“We are celebrating all that is wonderful and special about our school."

If you are a past pupil or have any connections with the school they would be very pleased to hear from you.

Please email admin@colleton.wokingham.sch.uk with your memories.

Open mornings for prospective families are planned for Thursday, September 21 and Wednesday, November 22.

For more: see www.colleton.wokingham.sch.uk.