YEAR Four teacher Ruth O’Reilly has been instrumental in changing the school’s curriculum since joining North Hinksey seven years ago.

Since then, teaching has become more creative and focused on making sure that pupils build up key skills while helping to choose the subjects they study.

She said: “When I first joined the school we were doing what most other schools at the time were doing, and using units of work on different subjects, but very separate from each other.

“The deputy head and I were keen to try a more creative way of teaching.

“We tried some different ideas and different styles of teaching in the classroom.”

As a result, topics such as robots, space, pirates, the industrial revolution and the wonders of the world have been introduced.

Ms O’Reilly said: “It give us flexibility and freedom.

“Sometimes the pupils suggest what they want to learn about. At the moment, my class are eager to do a topic on the rainforest, so that will be our next one.

“What is really important is that we try not just to develop the children’s knowledge, but also their skills, for example coming up with their own ideas, developing them, and thinking about what makes an original idea.”

She added: “I think the main thing that stands out about the school is the enthusiasm of the children and staff for learning.

“The children are all active, excited, enthusiastic learners, developing the skills they are going to need for the rest of their life and to help them keep on learning.

“The staff are the same. We are all learning from each other and moving on.”