THE Mid Moors Federation, which includes Copplestone and Spreyton Schools, is beginning to see the benefits since its inception in June, its executive headteacher this week said.

Spreyton is currently a 32 pupil school with two classes of 16. However, despite these small classes, the pupils have regularly benefitted from sharing the combined resources of a 200+ pupil federation.

Stuart Busby, the executive headteacher of MMF, said: 'Pupils have noticed a rapid expansion of teaching and learning opportunities in the last term. Staff have attended a wide range of joint federation professional development sessions, which have helped them to significantly raise standards of learning.

'Spreyton pupils have also had access to a broad and varied selection of learning activities, including regular forest school sessions and participation in Mid Moors swimming, netball and football teams.

'Indeed, the Mid Moors football team were recently winners of the Crediton Learning Community Football tournament — a success neither of the individual school football teams had achieved individually before.'

Spreyton's involvement in the Mid Moors Federation has also allowed them to develop a successful link with a partner school in Tanzania.

Head of teaching and learning for Spreyton, Lois Briard, recently visited Yusuf Makamba School.

She was delighted to take lessons and open the 'Spreyton Garden' — complete with its new sign fashioned from recycled bottle tops. Children at Spreyton got actively involved in this ceremony via Skype and enjoyed shared singing with their Tanzanian partners.

There are several forthcoming events at the school. On Saturday there is a Christmas coffee morning from 10am to 12pm at school. On Tuesday, December 18, class two are playing at the village hall at 2pm and the next day at 6pm. On Thursday, December 20 class one will be holding their nativity play in Spreyton Church at 2pm.