The tiny school with more staff than children

GOOD things do come in small packages, if Hollinsclough Primary School is anything to go by.

Offically named as the country’s tiniest school, it nestles on the remote Staffordshire and Derbyshire border boasting just five pupils – who are outnumbered by staff .

Headteacher Janette Mountford-Lees said: "We’ve got five pupils using the space of 50.

"When people walk in they think the school is filled with children because there is so much work on the walls, but it is all done by these five, they have no choice!"

She added: "They do all the normal things, just not in the normal way."

Because of the diminutive class sizes, the kids don’t have a football team and have to share PE with nearby Flash Primary, but they still have weekly assemblies and are in the school from 9am until 3pm.

Janette added: "Some parents didn’t want their children coming here because they worry about their social skills, but our kids are very confident. They can’t hide themselves behind a big class."

With a headteacher, two teachers, three teaching assistants and specialist French, music and art teachers, the staff easily outnumber the children.

Group lessons revolve around a creative curriculum adapted for each child’s ability.

Janette added: "We get to go on lots of school trips because we can just jump in the car.

"When we went to Chelford market people were amazed when they found out it was the whole school."

Sam Scott, who is the school’s only reception pupil, said: "I like it here. I have made lots of friends."

Parent and governor Wendy Wilston, 38, from Longnor, said: "My kids all love it here, I couldn’t ask for anything better."

At its largest the school had 50 pupils, but dropped to five because of dwindling numbers in the community.

But next year’s intake may have to fight a little harder for their teacher’s undivided attention, as the pre-school group attracts 14 youngsters and they are all raring to join the main school.