The whole school took part in a week devoted to the telling of the Easter story to celebrate, as headteacher Pam King puts it, “the real meaning of the millennium”. In RE, infants and juniors wrote, acted and danced in their own versions of biblical parables which they presented to parents. But the dramatic centre of the week was a staging of the musical Jerusalem Joy by Roger Jones. All the staff helped in the production but they were led by Mrs King, who teaches singing, and Linda Davis and Julia Hall, who are interested in drama. It took all term to rehearse, including time after school, but when it was presented to 200 parents in the hall “the atmosphere was just electric”, says Mrs King. “They were so moved by it.” After the drama, the school relaxed with a tree-planting morning in which every class, including the nursery, planted a tree on the school field. Then thre was a traditional Easter bonnet parade and a picnic, which had to be held inside because of the bad weather. But the rain held off, so children and staff were able to round off the week by releasing 400 balloons - one for every pupil and the nearly 40 members of staff. The wind took them in all directions and so far tags back have been returned from as far away as Norfolk and Marlborough in Wiltshire.

Snaps by Pam King

Please release me: the week ends with each pupil and member of staff releasing a balloon

The crowd tells Pilate ‘No, you can’t let this man go

’ Pilate (Rebecca Green) left, and Herod (Maddie Robins) right, put Jesus (Michael Lock) on trial

Ahead of the rest: Joe Peagam wins the Easter bonnet parade

Passers by: Year 5 presents the parable of the good samaritan

Putting down roots: every class planted a tree in the school field

All baa none: Year 12 are the sheep that have gone astray