Staff and pupils at a Ravenshead primary school welcomed senior county councillors to showcase the work they do as part of the Together As One Collaboration.

Coun Sam Smith, cabinet member for Education and SEND, and his deputy, Coun Nigel Moxon, met children from Abbey Gates Primary School and headteacher Abigail Quant-Epps to hear about their experiences.

Abbey Gates is one of five schools in the collaboration with Morven Park Primary School and Orchard Primary School, Kirkby; Newstead Primary School; and Annesley Primary School.

The collaboration has three main focuses — to shape children who are confident and resilient learners prepared for the future; staff who are valued and supported with opportunities for growth; and being aspirational, nurturing, and forward looking.

Abigail said: “The children have been able to talk about some of the things they’ve really benefited from, being part of our Together As One Collaboration.

“We work in partnership to make a difference for all of our children, staff, and the whole community within our local area.”

Collaboration is a key focus of Nottinghamshire County Council’s small schools strategy, launched in September.

It aims to value, celebrate, and support the positive contributions of small schools, while ensuring a robust and sustainable education system for all children and young people is maintained across the county.

During the visit, students shared their experiences of being in the Pupil Parliament, which involves having a pupil-led body featuring a Prime Minister-style figurehead voted for by fellow pupils.

As part of the Together As One Collaboration, they will be visiting the Houses of Parliament with school council members from across the five schools.

Sam added: “I was delighted to visit Abbey Gates to hear about their work with other schools as part of the collaboration to bring everybody together, where children can work across all schools, in competitions, and enjoy all sorts of wonderful things to excel in.”