LIPHOOK Infant School’s new headteacher has enjoyed his first four months in the job since replacing Jane Clabon back at the start of the new academc year.

Greg Braham previously worked with the local authority’s English team – as an inspector and adviser across East Hampshire – and has over the last two years worked with both Liphook infant and junior schools.

He was also a teacher for 10 years working across Hampshire, including six years at a school in Portsmouth.

“The ethos of Liphook Infant School appealed to me and I am helping to do my best for the children on a day to day basis,” he said.

“Both infant and junior schools are very good schools with excellent Ofsted reports, which can be accredited to executive headteacher Michele Frost.

“There is no need to make any changes – the children are happy and engaged and want to be at the school.

“They are given opportunities which they may or may not have had before – during their three formative years at the infant school, before moving to the junior school. They gain great experiences and develop individual opportunities.

“The school is embedded in the community and involved with local and community events – as well as worldwide events – which will broaden their knowledge and experiences.

“For them it is not just about learning academic subjects but getting an education across a broader social area. By bringing the infant and junior schools together in the federation, we create lots of links, since most of the children go from one to the other, depending on the catchment area.”

Mr Braham aims to encourage usage of the existing outdoor spaces as well as doing many outdoor activities.

There are plans to extend and fully cover the existing covered area and engage children in activities in the mud kitchen, flower beds and early woodworking activities with basic tools.

“School should develop play to explore broader aspects of life, it should be an education in life,” added Mr Bonham.

“The children are excited and enthusiastic about coming to school. While the academic side covers core subjects, letters, sounds, writing and math, I am also looking to engage children in making learning relevant, giving them a real purpose for writing.

“They have lots of story work, topics of interest, role play, and opportunities to speak. It’s all about confidence-building - by doing presentations during class assemblies to visitors and parents.

“The school is fortunate to have great members of staff and an effective group of teachers, while parents and children are supportive and friendly.”

Liphook Infant School currently has 270 children, its maximum capacity, with all year groups full.