PUPILS at Stogumber Primary School will happily tell you of their love for not only the school but the surrounding area.

The school has only 35 pupils and is a close-knit loving community where children learn, grow and achieve.

Head teacher Jennifer Yates said: “Our aim is simply for every child to be able to do the best they can and leave us happy, confident and ready for the next step in their schooling.”

Stogumber, a federation school with Crowcombe Primary School, shares a head teacher, governing body and PTA.

Jennifer, who splits her time between the two schools, said she has always loved teaching.

She was head teacher at a nursery and infants school in Norfolk for three years and spent several years in interim head roles in Norfolk and Lincolnshire before coming back to West Somerset, where she grew up.

She said: “I have always taught, because it is such a rewarding job.

“Leading two schools can be challenging but the schools make such a good team working together it doesn’t really feel like two schools.”

The school was rated ‘Good’ in its latest OFSTED report and Jennifer and her staff are keen to build on that, making use of the natural resources available.

She added: “We want the best for all pupils and we’re always looking for ways to provide just that.

“Our governing body is keen to continue to build on our strengths and raise standards even further, so we will be providing outstanding schooling for our pupils.

“Our new curriculum will take all the strengths of our current good curriculum and embed even more outdoor learning and global learning – I’m really looking forward to developing and launching it.

“We recently held a ‘Groundforce’ Saturday where staff, parents and friends of the school pitched in to help dig a pond, empty old planters and fill new ones, and move many plants and shrubs.”

The school takes an active role at the village’s summer fete and also holds a community Christmas lunch every year.

It is clear to see why Stogumber Primary School is at the heart of the village community.