School in August is a strange place. It is not, however, quiet. In August the gentle hum of children working in their classrooms is replaced by builders hammering and tearing at plasterboard. The sounds of children playing outside, laughter, music and games lessons are all replaced with Radio One, sawing and builder’s banter. Displays are replaced by polythene sheeting (a vain attempt to cut down on dust), step ladders and scaffolding. This year at Pulford School, the hall, kitchen and corridor up to the hall are all being refurbished. This is made possible with the several funding streams including the Pulford Trust; Voluntary Aided schools funding; and of course the County.

As the Bishop of Bedford pointed out in our 300th anniversary service, we would not remember the name of Joshua Pulford three hundred years after his will was written if it were not for the fact that he had left us money in trust. This is a very valid point but in doing so Joshua Pulford proved himself to be not only a visionary of his time but of enormous practical help in the 21st Century.

The Trust originally provided education for 6 poor boys of the Parish. With wise investment The Pulford Trust now not only helps provide an education for 150 children but also keeps in mind the principles of Christian charity and doing good for others.

The initiatives coming from Whitehall very much emphasis the importance of the ‘Every Child Matters' agenda. Every child has the right to enjoy and achieve at school, be healthy, safe, make a positive contribution to society and achieve economic well being. The outcomes are mutually reinforcing. For example, children and young people learn and thrive when they are healthy, safe and engaged; and the evidence shows clearly that educational achievement is the most effective route out of poverty. Strange that this was Joshua Pulford’s intention 300 years ago but that it has taken this long for it to be picked up by Government.

Children are at the heart of every school and whether they are present or absent, as in August, they are the reason for improving the school and striving to improve the provision that is made for them. In provision there has to be vision and we must be grateful to all the benefactors, head teachers and teachers who have gone before us in providing that vision for Pulford School.

and from Trudi....

"We celebrated our 300th anniversary in style at the end of June with a variety of events to include all the Pulford Family, past and present.

Deputy Head Tessa Rees organised a fantastic Science and History week where parent helpers were able to come in and assist with a variety of Science experiments which included making explosions, communicating in Morse code and making electric circuits with lemons. The climax of the week was the Friday when we had a "Victorian Day". Staff and children dressed up in Victorian costumes, ate a Victorian lunch with David Selous our MP.

Saturday night it was the adults' turn to boogie to a live band at the dinner dance held at Cedars school raising funds to be shared between All Saints Preservation Trust and Keech Hospice.

Sunday morning saw a fantastic celebratory service at All Saints conducted by the Bishop of Bedford the Right Reverend Richard Inwood. He spoke movingly to the children about the vision of Joshua Pulford all those years ago and about having ambition, like Joshua Pulford. He also blessed a beautiful carved wooden table for the school hall, to be used during our worship in school. After this the conclusion of our celebrations was our family summer funday."

Trudi Barnes, ex Pulford parent, ex PTA chair, Pulford Trustee and proud Office Manager