'We have come such a long way in such a short time' School The Week Moor Green Primary School, Moseley.

Byline: By Tony Collins

AMALGAMATION is the making of Moor Green Primary.

The school has been created out of the merger of the adjoining Moor Green junior and infants schools in Moseley in September 2006.

And the 234-pupil combined primary in Moor Green Lane has been reaping the benefits ever since.

Head teacher Marian Davies says: "I was charged with creating a new school. We have gone through this enormous change, in particular to the staff and buildings.

"And although we are still in the amalgamation process, we have come a very long way in a very short time."

The merger came about because of falling pupil numbers, due largely to Birmingham University student accommodation moving to the Moseley side of the main Pershore Road.

Marian adds: "Our numbers were falling quite dramatically, but the fantastic thing is that the amalgamation means we now have a full roll this September for the first time in a long time."

Other benefits are more visible, including a new school entrance, a new walkway between the main buildings and a "fabulous" new staff room and workroom.

"We also have a lot of additional space following the amalgamation.

In particular, it's much more open at the front of the school."

The creation of Moor Green Primary, which enjoys a very diverse and multi-cultural mix of pupils, has been positively acknowledged by education watchdogs Ofsted who said the school is developing rapidly.

"The amalgamation of the infant and junior schools has been a great success owing to the excellent leadership of the head teacher and the hard work of staff. This has led to many improvements."

In particular, pupils achieve well across the school and standards in Year 6 have risen while, at the same time, their personal development is good.

"We have worked hard to create the right environment, stimulating and interesting for the children, and we think we have succeeded in that," the head concludes.

This weekly feature celebrates the good things happening in our schools. To nominate a school for inclusion ring Tony Collins on 0121 234 5323 or email [e-mail]

CAPTION(S):

HEAD... Marian Davies.; Photo ref:EL210408MOOR-9; IT'S GREAT... Danny Maloney, 5, Shannon Davenport-Lynock, 5 and Ryan Hanna, 5 with Tablet PCs. Pictures: Emma Lee ; Photo ref:EL210408MOOR-4; GROWTH SPURT... Dante Capaldi, 5, and Roma Adams, 5.; KEEP FIT... Callum Hawkeswood, 9, and Georgina Millard,10.; Photo ref:EL210408MOOR-3