A teacher at Forest & Sandridge C.E. Primary School is celebrating 30 years of teaching at the Melksham school.
Liz Bell started teaching at the school in 1993 and since that time has gathered many memories.
“30 years seems like a lifetime but it has been filled with fabulous memories,” she said. “I have really valued my time at Forest & Sandridge School.”
Reflecting on milestone moments over the past 30 years, Liz said, “I have enjoyed Jubilee celebrations and the visit from Camilla when she officially opened our new school, before she became Queen.
“A real highlight was when I organised a sports day which involved Olympian Sharron Davies, visiting with her medal and torch; the children were allowed to use this as part of our opening ceremony. I have taken part in a number of trips; walking through Bristol for a trip aboard the Matthew of Bristol dressed as a pirate with 60 pirate children in tow was brilliant; plus numerous residential visits to Oxenwood and Cornwall. Years of school plays and Christmas nativities have also been a real treat to be part of. I often have children in my class whose parents I taught in the past.”
Despite changes to the school’s building and the challenges the Covid pandemic had on teaching, the essence of Forest & Sandridge C.E. Primary School has remained unchanged, Liz said. “Despite the change of building from our old site and the increase in numbers, the school has remained focused on putting the children at the very heart of everyday life. The values embedded are core to everything.
“Recently, Covid restrictions really changed the face of teaching and learning for a while. But the children and their parents showed true resilience and made the challenges seem more do-able.”
Being involved with schools, learning and teaching has been a theme throughout Liz’s life. She said, “As a child I spent hours playing at schools with my three sisters. That was definitely a defining time. My four years at Exmouth College was a great place to study and hone my teaching skills.
“I took a year out to travel around the world visiting many countries and having a huge adventure before starting my teaching career at a school in Rugby before joining Forest & Sandridge. Having my children, Charlotte and Matt, meant I worked part-time for a short while but then built this back to virtually full-time.”
