Surprise for pupils as school is redecorated to launch new house system

​Pupils at Salfords Primary School in Redhill have no excuse for forgetting the messages and themes of the school’s newly introduced house system after they literally became part of the fabric of the school buildings

Shortly before Christmas the school set up a new internal competition across the years, dividing pupils into houses named after Isambard Kingdom Brunel (representing striving for excellence), Florence Nightingale (kindness towards others), Sir Steve Redgrave (respect between people) and JK Rowling (the courage needed to try).

But both staff and pupils were in for a surprise when they returned for the spring term to find the school redecorated in accordance with the house system.

“We decided that we could make the school and house valuables more memorable and meaningful for the children if we put them at the forefront of the school environment,” said Salfords assistant head Gareth Parker.

“By zoning the corridors to be themed around the individual houses, we now have a place that we can display the house points which have been earned, examples of children or work that exemplifies the values and a chance to celebrate in 'full colour' the different houses!”

The house system and makeover are just two of the innovations introduced at Salfords since it joined the GLF Schools group in the autumn. GLF Schools is a rapidly expanding Surrey-based multi-academy trust which now runs over a dozen schools across Surrey, Middlesex, Berkshire and Oxfordshire, based on a system of collaborative working.

“The looks on the faces of the staff and children when they came back and saw the changes that had been made were priceless,” Mr Parker added. “Everyone in the school and all our visitors comment on it. It’s great to see the school’s values on display like that, for everyone to see and to follow.”