FEATURE: PUPILS at Derry Hill Church of England School, near Calne, are doing their bit to improve the diets of their classmates.

At the beginning of term, the school council took over responsibility for the morning tuck shop.

The 14-pupil school council was set up at the beginning of the last school year.

Headteacher John Bellamy said pupils have reacted enthusiastically to healthier snacks during their morning break.

"They have looked to introduce healthier eating and have appointed two shop managers who run the tuck shop," said Mr Bellamy.

Year six pupils Alexander Bower and Angela Bunce run the shop, which is set up in a hallway each day.

"They sell apple juice, orange juice, low-salt crisps, fresh fruit and things that are good for you," said Mr Bellamy.

He said the tuck shop has made enough money in a term to buy a fridge to store the food and drink.

Mr Bellamy said the school council's main objective this year has been the healthy eating break-time tuck shop, but other issues have also occupied its time.

One of its initiatives has been the purchase of new games, including skipping ropes, cricket sets and footballs for the children to use during breaks.

The most well-behaved children each week are allowed to use the equipment for the following week.

"The council is now looking at litter in the playground and how to improve the environment," said Mr Bellamy.

He said the children want to set up a litter- picking squad and also place banners around the school warning people not to drop litter.

"The other big issue is trying to get a bike shed and the school council has written to the governors asking if they would pay for one," said Mr Bellamy.

The governors are now looking at the options of purchasing one.

Mr Bellamy said the school was also delighted to have achieved one of its best set of SATs results last year.

All year six children who sat Key Stage two SATs achieved level four or higher.

"The results were as good as we have ever had and it was a credit to everyone's hard work," said Mr Bellamy.

Two Year three teachers, Gillian Cowan and Susan Wort are leaving at the end of term. Both have worked at the school for one-and-a-half years.

The school has 208 children; 88 of them are in its three infant classes. It needs 91 infants to qualify for a Government grant and has had to make the teachers redundant due to lack of funding.

"They will be missed and have made quite a contribution to the school," said Mr Bellamy.

He said the school has a caring attitude. "It's all about caring for each other and if anyone misbehaves I always say, 'Would you like to be treated like that?'" said Mr Bellamy.