Beauty within, beauty without (From Gazette & Herald)

Beauty within, beauty without

TUCKED away on the fringe of Bugthorpe lies the village school, in the most picturesque of settings.

Lush green fields surround the school which nestles beneath a cluster of autumn-coloured trees. The slopes of the Yorkshire Wolds in the distance provide an idyllic backdrop.

In such a pleasant and peaceful environment, it is no wonder that a friendly atmosphere exists within the school.

"I think everyone here respects and appreciates being at Bugthorpe," said Kay Woodfine, headteacher at the school since January 1995. And, in saying that, she's not just referring to the school's surroundings.

"We are really fortunate to have the community we have and to receive the support we get from the governors. You can feel it in the atmosphere of the school."

The community plays an integral part in school life. One of the big events which it has supported this term is the autumn fair, well-known for its buttercake sale. The school revived this harvest-time village tradition of making buttercakes - a type of fruitcake - 30 years ago. The recipe from 1973 is still used today.

Produce brought in by the children for the harvest festival the day before was sold at the fair along with the buttercake. A 'guess the weight of the cake' competition was held. And year five and year six pupils devised their own games to raise funds at the fair.

Money raised went towards a charity for children orphaned because of AIDS, run by Father Tami, a South African priest who once visited the school.

Forthcoming fundraising events, organised by the Friends of Bugthorpe School, include a bonfire (on November 7) and a beetle drive (on November 28). The biggest get-together of the year is the summer barbecue, which attracts almost 200 people.

The school's catchment area extends beyond Bugthorpe to the neighbouring villages of Full Sutton, Skirpenbeck and Kirby Underdale. While some children come from outlying farms, the make-up of pupils is quite diverse. Staff at the prison at Full Sutton have children who attend the school, while some pupils have families who work in York, Pocklington and Hull.

Ian Jones, who has taught at the school since 1985, was a former pupil at Bugthorpe back in the 1960s. He has taught as far afield as Athens and the Falkland Islands but returned to Bugthorpe when "the chance in a thousand" came up. Fellow teacher Daphne Smithson also has strong local links, being a resident of Full Sutton.

Academically, the school is proud of two recent notable achievements. Last summer term, it was awarded a curriculum achievement award for consistently producing good results at key stage two level. And in 2001-02, Bugthorpe earned the second highest points score in the East Riding, again at key stage two.

As Mrs Woodfine pointed out, the school's small number of pupils, currently at 67, means its results are more likely to fluctuate. But, she said, the last five years had seen an upward trend.

Achievement inside the classroom has been matched outside it. The girls netball team has won every game so far this season, while the football team has also enjoyed success.

The school is keen to promote physical activity.

"It's one of our maxims - healthy mind, healthy body," said Mrs Woodfine.

With space at a premium at the school, an extension, with disabled access, is planned next spring. This will be where the pond currently is and will provide space for a proper reception area and free up more space for staff. The roof on the school building is also due to be renovated.

Money for the project will come from the school's devolved capital fund and grants for improving staff conditions and access for all. One development that has already taken place at the start of this term has been the installation of a new hall floor.

Another one planned for this year is the transformation of the sewage area, adjacent to the school grounds, into a pond and wildlife area. A small group of year five and year six pupils planted flower beds during the summer holidays to attract birds and butterflies.

Involving pupils practically is considered important at the school. It has two junior road safety officers, while representatives from each year group, apart from reception, have recently been elected onto the new school council.

This gives pupils a degree of responsibility, enabling them to make decisions on aspects of school life. Setting up a 'buddy bench', planning charity events and establishing rules for when football can be played in the playground are some decisions made by the council.

Each class has a suggestion book for ideas pupils may have, which will be raised by their representative at the fortnightly council meetings.

Mrs Woodfine said of the scheme: "It gives everyone a voice and makes pupils feel involved."

Speaking about her job, the headteacher said: "It's never dull, it's never boring. There are different challenges and adventures to look forward to every day. It's the most rewarding profession."

Words from someone who clearly enjoys life at Bugthorpe CE (VC) Primary School.

Updated: 10:27 Wednesday, October 29, 2003