We learned all about a happy north Shropshire village primary school where every pupil gets a chance to shine

Happy was exactly the feeling exuding from the bubbly staff and smiling children at this quaint primary school when we visited in glorious sunshine.

It's the only primary school in Prees - a village that has a population just short of 1,000 - and is the term-time home for around 200 children.

The onsite nursery means a lot of the pupils are here for 10 years, first arriving at the age of two. The arrangement means the littlest students share a playground with the largest, separated by just a short fence.

"It definitely makes that transition into primary school easier," said nursery teacher Michelle Dyer.

"Our children can see the older children out there playing, they can see their older friends or siblings, and they are all eager to join them.

"But because of the size of the community, as they move up into secondary school - whether that is in Wem or Whitchurch - they have those familiar faces there too. It's a lovely community feel."

Once over the fence, that community support continues with some of the older children acting as "playground friends", checking on younger pupils and making sure everyone has someone to play with.

Staff and leaders at the school are keen to give pupils as many experiences and memories inside and outside of the classroom as possible.

On top of trips to museums and art galleries, younger pupils take the local bus and visit supermarkets to support their developing knowledge of the world around them.

"When you look back on your primary school years, it's not the everyday maths lesson you remember," said executive headteacher Nicola Brayford, reflecting on a recent school trip to the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool.

"Not all children are academic - it's important to expose them to every opportunity available."

Part of that ethos is the school's emphasis on creativity - something that is sprinkled throughout its everyday curriculum.

The school's art room is decorated with handmade 'Roman' leather sandals and Viking portraits from recent history lessons.

Art coordinator Mrs Johnson said: "Children generally will have an opinion on whether they are good at maths or English, but often the children that don't shine in those subjects will find that they shine in something like art.

"Everyone gets a chance to shine at Prees - and this it just one of those ways that they can shine."

Sport is another area in which pupils are given the chance to shine. Rare for a primary school, Prees boasts its own dedicated PE teacher in Alison Coles.

It means children have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of sports and activities in and outside of school.

"It's great for the children and keeping them active," said Mrs Coles. "It's good for their overall fitness and their mental health, but it's also friendship and social skills.

"We want to give the children as many opportunities as we can, there's many different sports they can do to go out there and represent the school.

"That gives them a real sense of pride."

It's not just the children that have a great sense of pride in their school and their achievements.

Every single member of staff we spoke to took the opportunity to wax lyrical about the wholesome school in which they work.

Learning mentor Sandra Powell is due to retire this week, after almost 26 years of working at the school.

With eyes full of tears, Mrs Powell described how she'd seen the children of former students pass through the doors.

"Every day is different, the children are absolutely amazing and so are their parents. It's a wonderful, wonderful place to work.

"But I have to leave before the grandchildren arrive," she joked, quickly scarpering before more tears came.

"She's irreplaceable. She'll leave a very, very big hole in hearts," said the equally emotional executive head, Miss Brayford.