CHAMPIONED by Ofsted inspectors last year as a 'happy and community-spirited place', St Laurence CE School has much to celebrate.

Today it will mark a milestone moment by welcoming another child under its wing, increasing its cohort to 100 pupils for the first time in its history.

The primary school in Warborough has more than doubled its numbers since headteacher Nicole Cooper joined in 2009, when 41 children were taught there.

Ms Cooper described the school as having a 'lovely community feel' and said pupils were like a family.

She said: "They all love one another and look after each other. There isn't that big divide between Year 6 and the younger children.

"We are a caring and inclusive school."

Pupils come from a catchment area of Warborough and the neighbouring village of Shillingford.

Classrooms were a hive of activity when the Oxford Mail visited, from messy play in the outdoor 'mud kitchen' to musical creativity in recorder and guitar lessons.

Children also created colourful tie-dye t-shirts for an art activity inspired by a children's book, and on Friday children got to wear their t-shirts to a parent assembly.

The Oxford Mail also popped inside the peaceful 'reading bus', which arrived at the school in November following a fundraising campaign.

The bus was stripped on the inside and transformed into a mini library, where children can find a peaceful spot on a beanbag or search through the bookshelves for a new story.

Ms Cooper said: "The whole school was outside watching it drive in. It's really inspired the children."

Values at the school centre around a core trio of friendship, enjoyment and confidence.

Each month a different additional value is explored in assemblies and classes.

Ms Cooper said school should not just be about exams, but ensuring every child reaches their full potential.

The headteacher enthused about her profession and noted the school was currently recruiting.

She said: "I absolutely love working with children.

"It's so rewarding when those lightbulbs go on.

"Primary school is absolutely key. It's the first building blocks for children."