AS A musically-talented school, Studley Green Primary in Trowbridge has hit all the right notes when it comes to their pupils' learning, according to their new headteacher.

Sarah Garbutt, who started in the position just three weeks ago, said a multitude of factors led her to take up the new job but the school’s focus on music was an attraction.

“Since joining a couple of weeks ago, it has been fantastic and I’m really enjoying it,” Mrs Garbutt said.

“I was previously at Five Lanes in Potterne near Devizes and it was time to move on for a bigger and new challenge.

“I came here because I liked the feel of it and there are a lot of things about the school that I was drawn to, like the resource bases, which are something I have never worked with before."

In December, pupils at the school took part in recording a Christmas CD, which included ukulele playing, and the school will soon be taking part in the National Sing Up Day which encourages more schools to get into singing.

“The music is a real strength of the school and it is at the heart of everything that goes on here," she added. "As well as the CD, the choir sang at various events in Trowbridge over Christmas including at County Hall and the staff play instruments to accompany assemblies too."

In total, there are 221 pupils at Studley Green Primary spread across 10 classes who were given a rating of good in their last Ofsted inspection in 2013.

Since this time, the school has officially been recognised as a Makaton primary. Makaton is a form of a sign language to help its pupils with special needs communicate with fellow pupils and teachers.

“The Makaton recognition is part of the resource base which, when I came to visit, really stood out because of its inclusivity. It is used throughout the school including in assemblies,” Mrs Garbutt added.

Other features of the primary school include a secret garden and a library.

Mrs Garbutt said: “The outdoor areas are very extensive and just beautiful and people don’t realise when they walk through the gates, what we have at the back of the grounds. One of the things we also have is a secret garden. We have a few ponds in the area and in one of them are crested newts. The outdoor spaces are really well used in the children’s learning.”

Studley Green’s motto is ‘We Learn, We Care and We Make a Difference’ – something which deputy headteacher Kristy Reed said is ongoing, especially through staff working with the neighbouring nursery and children’s centre.

“For me, Studley Green is a really special school to work in and the children love coming here every day, walking through the gates with a smile on their faces and I think it is the same for the staff,” Mrs Reed said. “We have had lots of change but it is change for the better and it is great we have Sarah in the school.”