We learn all about a Shropshire school planted firmly in the heart of its village
Tucked away in the heart of the Shropshire countryside, St John the Baptist Church of England Primary School and Nursery stands as a beacon of community spirit.
The small church school in the village of Ruyton-XI-Towns, near Shrewsbury, may be modest in size, but it carries a big reputation for warmth, inclusivity, and dedication to its pupils' growth - academically, emotionally, and socially.
As a Church of England school, it upholds a strong Christian ethos rooted in its core values of 'hope, love and respect'. Each part of school life is guided by these principles - from how the children interact with one another to how staff support pupils' individual needs.
The school’s strong sense of community is one of its defining features. It enjoys regular links with the local church and works closely with families and residents. Support from the Friends of the School group has been instrumental in funding enrichment opportunities.
Adding to a forest school and large playing fields, children enjoy a quiet reflective garden, created to offer a peaceful space during break or lunchtime.
On our recent visit, pupils proudly showcased their musical talents - performing an impressive piece on their recorders.
Acting heads Kate Gregory and Katie Farmer are leading the school with a deep understanding of its mission and a shared pride in what the school offers.
"Our school is in a lovely setting and we are very proud of the environment that we have got," said Kate. "We have got children that come to us from as far away from Oswestry.
"We have really supportive, nurturing staff here. We have recently developed some of our areas in school into areas specifically for nurture for children that require that little extra help about their emotional regulation, mental health or anxiety. We also have staff to support them with that."
St John the Baptist CofE Primary School and Nursery makes full use of its rural surroundings to offer pupils a rich, hands-on learning experience. The school’s off-site forest school is a particular point of pride - set in a private woodland generously made available by a family from the village.
The site includes a dedicated working area, river access for environmental studies, and even a fire circle for outdoor cooking.
The school’s stated aims are ambitious but rooted in care. Most of all, the school aims to help raise children who care for themselves, each other, and the world they live in.
Acting head Katie added: "We have a lovely outdoor area, we are very fortunate to have lots of space outside with beautiful fields and our reflective area that was developed a few years ago.
"It gives children a safe and quiet space to go to during break and lunch times if they need that.
"We have got a lovely 'trim trail' which was funded by the friends of our school who are a fantastic group of parents and we really appreciate everything they do. Without their support it would be really difficult. They provide lots of opportunities for our children and pay for them to go to the pantomime in Shrewsbury so it doesn't cost parents anything.
"We also have a wonderful forest school which is off-site. It is literally a woodland which we have been granted permission to use by the Gittens family who have lived in Ruyton-XI-Towns for a long time. We are really grateful for them as well."
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