IT IS one of the oldest schools in the county, but the ethos at Dr South’s Primary School is far from archaic.

Stuffy textbook traditions are avoided in favour of fun activities, with a focus on the arts as much as the core academic subjects.

The primary school opened in Islip in 1710, named after its founder Dr Robert South, a Canon of Westminster Abbey.

It has since moved sites but has stayed in the village, and currently teaches 99 pupils plus nursery children.

Headteacher Huw Morgan said the school revolved around ‘active and practical’ learning, with an enriching programme including classes in the outdoor forest school.

Mr Morgan, who has been head since 2011, said: “We do cookery and lots of sport, music and drama – lots of practical things as well as academic. We believe that education is about preparing the children for life.”

He said the schools tries to avoid a sole focus on results and league tables, instead making a ‘conscious effort’ to broaden areas of learning.

Mr Morgan added: “We subdivide classes into activity groups, and pupils do subjects in-depth in blocks – they might do art intensively for a week.

“Our focus on all areas of the curriculum is what makes us special. We are really passionate about children enjoying their education.

“We provide a really different approach from most state schools. 

“I believe children should be inspired and motivated by their learning.”

Stressing the importance of having a good early school life, he added: “The children of the present are the leaders of tomorrow. On a good day, being a teacher is the best job. It is one of the greatest gifts there is.”

The school in Bletchingdon Road also has a popular pet dog, a labradoodle called Digby.

Mr Morgan said: “He goes out at playtime and pupils can talk to him if they are upset, or sit and have a cuddle.”

Dr South’s has a kitchen area purpose-built for children, which is used daily.

It is housed inside the Lin Cooper Practical Skills Building, which was built in memory of late Islip villager Lin Cooper, who went to the school as a young girl.

Staff said the building was created to 'enable the children of today to enjoy the practical skills of which she was so fond and at which she excelled'.

It is housed inside the Lin Cooper Practical Skills Building, which was funded by late Islip villager Mrs Cooper, who went to the school as a young girl and left it as a legacy in her will in 2012.

The school’s official catchment area is Islip, Noke and Woodeaton but pupils also come from further afield.