Read below to find out more about some of the different activities we have been getting up to; from sporting and musical activities, to visitors and 'wow' days. We are looking forward to helping our children 'explore and grow' further in 2025-26.

• Silver School Mental Health Award

  Tue 17 Mar 2026 M Davis

  We are very pleased to share that we have been awarded the Silver School Mental Health Award, delivered by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools, for our outstanding mental health and wellbeing provision.  

   

  We provide a wide range of support to boost the wellbeing of pupils and staff through our dedication to provision for all. The award recognises the nurturing atmosphere and commitment to supporting not only the children in developing good mental health, but also in supporting staff and parents. Particular areas of strength were recognised, including the whole school holistic thinking around mental health, the deeply embedded culture of support, and the authentic sense of belonging for everyone in the school community.

   

  Rachel C. Boyle, Dean of Leeds Beckett’s Carnegie School of Education, said: “The achievement of the Mental Health award is a demonstration of the school's significant commitment to improving children's and staff’s mental health and wellbeing. It is also a commitment to developing practices in school that seek to improve awareness and expertise in creating safe and secure learning environments in which all children can truly fulfil their potential. This award is one that all staff can be truly proud of”.

   

  Dean Johnstone, founder and CEO of Minds Ahead said: “This award shines a light on the excellent work schools are doing to promote mental health for their community of children and adults. It is thrilling and humbling to learn about Exton & Greetham CE Primary School and the many other schools engaged in the quality award process. I’d like to offer my congratulations on this deserved recognition.”

• Exton and Greetham CE Primary School Celebrates Nurture Schools Award

  Sun 08 Feb 2026 M Davis

  We are proud to announce that we have been awarded the Nurture Schools Award through the National Nurturing Schools Programme (NNSP), recognising the school’s exceptional commitment to wellbeing, inclusion, and nurturing relationships at the heart of its community.

   

  The award follows a rigorous assessment process, during which the school submitted a comprehensive evidence file including attendance and exclusion data, case studies, partnership work, and clear application of the Six Principles of Nurture. Assessors noted that while no report can fully capture the daily commitment of staff, the evidence demonstrated a deeply embedded, whole-school approach to nurture.

   

  Exton and Greetham CE Primary School was praised for the pivotal role it plays at the centre of its local community and for the nurturing welcome extended to all who visit. The school was already well established on its nurture journey before joining the programme, with the NNSP supporting leaders and staff to refine and embed their practice further.

   

  Assessors highlighted the school’s strong community-wide approach to nurture. The school is recognised as a model of good practice in social and emotional support and is visited by other schools seeking to learn from its approach.

   

  Nurture is central to the school’s educational philosophy, underpinned by a strong belief that children’s emotional wellbeing is fundamental to effective learning. This commitment is reflected across school life through a rich and inclusive curriculum, strong relationships, and a culture where wellbeing is prioritised for pupils and staff alike. Music and singing play a key role in supporting emotional expression and connection, forming an important part of the school’s identity.

   

  Staff wellbeing is recognised as essential to pupil wellbeing. Clear systems, including wellbeing documentation, support packages, and a staff pledge, reinforce a culture of care. Regular check-ins and reflective conversations ensure that support is offered at the right time, while a clear “family first” ethos helps staff and families balance school and home life.

   

  Children are actively encouraged to contribute to school life through a wide range of leadership roles, including school council, faith council, art ambassadors, sports leaders, cyber-wise teams, and librarians. These opportunities build confidence, responsibility, and a strong sense of belonging. Parents consistently describe the school as a place where “everyone is allowed to be themselves.”

   

  The assessment highlighted the school’s deliberate allocation of time for children to talk about their feelings. Staff support pupils to reflect on their emotions, understand how these may influence behaviour, and develop emotional awareness and self-regulation. Practical tools, such as visual feelings cards worn by staff, help children communicate when finding words is difficult, ensuring they feel understood and supported.

   

  Behaviour is understood as a form of communication. Staff work proactively to recognise and respond to underlying needs rather than viewing behaviour in isolation. Positive choices are noticed and celebrated, and during times of increased anxiety or change, such as the lead-up to Christmas, flexible and calming alternatives are offered to support regulation. The school’s simple, values-driven behaviour approach is built around the shared principles: “we are honest, we are kind, we forgive.”

   

  Strong, lasting relationships underpin all aspects of school life. One member of staff shared: “Nurture is running through the veins of the school. We are all really lucky to work here.”

   

  Pupils echoed this sense of safety and trust, with one commenting: “Every adult here is a trusted adult,” and another adding, “When we need somebody to help us, there is always someone around.”

   

  Parents spoke powerfully about the impact of the school’s nurturing approach: “Kids don’t fall through the gaps here,” “Because she feels comfortable, then she can learn,” and “The level of care and love is something else.”

   

  External validation from the SIAMS inspection (November 2024) further highlighted the strength of this approach, noting that pupils thrive as their self-confidence grows and that vulnerable children are well supported through strong relationships and a deep understanding of individual needs.

   

  This award recognises Exton and Greetham CE Primary School’s unwavering commitment to nurture, wellbeing, and community — values that continue to shape the school’s ethos and everyday practice.

• RLT Swimming Gala

  Fri 06 Feb 2026 M Davis

  Friday 6th February was the annual RLT Swimming Gala at Oakham School. Mrs Ranson took a team of 5 down to the pool to take part. She reported that the children did amazingly well, coming first or second in their heats, though they were pipped at the post for medals. Well done to all involved for taking part and for showing of your swimming skills!

• Inclusion Day

  Mon 02 Feb 2026 M Davis

  What an incredible Inclusion Day!

   

  Today we celebrated difference, empathy and belonging. The aim of the day was to help reinforce the feeling of belonging within our whole school community and the message that "Everyone matters,and matters equally."

   

  We started the day with a collective worship to introduce the day, and then split into mixed groups, containing children from across the school age range. The children were each given a time for them to draw their face, using specified colours. The idea was to create a single whole-school piece of artwork that celebrates everyone as individuals but shows that we come together to create something special and that isn't complete without us all.

   

  Children then took part in shared experiences that helped us understand how everyone learns differently — and why fairness means giving people what they need. The children had the opportunity to experience 4 different "rooms", each one geared up to help foster an understanding and appreciation of how differences impact on how a person experiences the world. We explored differences such as Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Speech and Language, Hearing impairment, with an understanding that this will be different for everyone, but giving an understanding of some of the ways in which it might feel different and how everyone can help each other to make the world an inclusive place to be.

  The core messages were 'Different doesn’t mean less' and that 'Everyone matters, and matters equally'.

   

  Thank you to our families for joining us at the end of the day — this learning was for adults too.

   

  The artwork is being collated and we will share a picture on the website once it is complete!

  

• RLT Parliament Trip

  Thu 29 Jan 2026 M Davis

  In the early hours of the morning, two of last year's children's council, alongside Mrs Creed, set off on a coach to London, alongside other children from RLT schools to visit the Houses of Parliament. This annual trip brings together children from across the trust who have been on their school's children's councils. It enables the children to visit Parliament and find out more about our government.

   

  A fantastic day was had by all, with the opportunity to visit both the House of Lords and the House of Commons, and to see a debate in progress. They also were able to visit some of the other parts of the Houses of Parliament, before taking part in a workshop to find out how a bill becomes a law. 

   

  What a fantastic opportunity!

  

• Great Fire of London Wonder Day

  Tue 27 Jan 2026 M Davis

  Teal class had a fantastic 'wonder day' on Tuesday to bring together all of their learning about the Great Fire of London. 

   

  The leader of the workshops was very impressed with how much the children already knew about the events of the fire, and key facts around how many properties were destroyed and how surprisingly few people died. 

   

  The workshop also gave the children the opportunity to find out more about the plague that had hit London at the time, and how the fire helped with reducing the spread of this. As part of this, they learnt how to make a pomander.

   

  Thank you to Mrs Redshaw and Mrs Bulbick for organising this fantastic day.

   

   

• Balance Bikes

  Mon 26 Jan 2026 M Davis

  Our EYFS children have enjoyed three Balance Bike sessions over the past three weeks. These have helped the children to develop their skills on two wheels, from balancing, to being able to duck under a hurdle whilst still staying on two wheels! They did an amazing job and were all rewarded with a certificate.

  

• African Drumming

  Tue 20 Jan 2026 M Davis

  On Tuesday morning, the school was alive with the sound of African drums, as each class took part in an African drumming workshop, led by Maggie from the music hub.

   

  Each group enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about Djembe drumming and to practise techniques for making different sounds. The children learnt a number of rhythms and put these together to make polyrhythms. 

   

  It was a loud, but enjoyable morning, enabling us to develop more of our musical skills.

• Singing Workshop with Rutland Youth Choir

  Fri 09 Jan 2026 M Davis

  Teal and Cobalt classes enjoyed sharing their singing skills this morning in some workshops led by Susie Hill. Susie runs the Rutland Youth Choirs who meet weekly in Oakham, which some of our children belong to.

   

  The morning started with a workshop for our year 5/6 children. We enjoyed learning some new songs, including 'La cucheracha', and sharing with Susie what we know about singing in parts and singing in a canon. There followed a workshop for our year 2/3/4 children, who learnt some new rounds. The morning concluded with the opportunity to come together and for each class to sing to each other, before joining together in song.

• Christmas in a Day

  Thu 18 Dec 2025 M Davis

  Exton has a tradition of 'Christmas in a Day' - held on the penultimate day of term. On this day, learning is put on hold, and we enjoy a day of festive fun and frivolities. 

   

  The day starts with a walk up to the Church for our Christmas Service. This is led by Teal class, who tell the story of the nativity, and create a tableau, interspersed by carols and Christmas songs sung by all. This year the retelling was loud and clear, and the singing enthusiastic. We even managed to get the parents to sing the third part in 'The Holly and the Ivy' at the end! It was lovely to be joined by so many parents and members of the local community.

   

  After the walk back to school, there were Christmas activities in the classrooms, before we all joined together in the hall for our Christmas lunch, wonderfully cooked by Lizzie. 

   

  In the afternoon, we had our Christmas disco, led by Disco Steve - and then had a visit from Santa, who took time out of his busy schedule to visit us here in school and share presents with us all. 

   

  Thank you to everyone who contributed to the day. A good time was had by all!