School named best in country 'absolutely buzzing'

A head teacher has said her school is "absolutely buzzing" after being picked as the best primary school in the UK.

East Wichel Community Primary School and Nursery in Swindon, Wiltshire, was awarded "Primary School of the Year 2025" in the Tes Schools Awards.

Tes, formerly known as the Times Educational Supplement, praised the school as a place of "warmth, belonging and joy".

Head teacher Paula Phillips said it was an "honour" to receive the award and she paid tribute to the school's holistic ethos.

Ms Phillips said it was the school's philosophy to help build well-rounded human beings.

"We believe that as schools, we literally hold the future of society in our hands," she said.

"We place as much emphasis on physical and mental health and happiness as we do on academic success.

"So we think holistically about education, and we're normalizing those self care practices."

"Childhood should be magical and memorable."

In awarding the title, Tes paid tribute to the school as "a place of warmth, belonging and joy with a mission to ensure children thrive not just academically but as kind, confident, resilient individuals."

Ms Phillips added the award had had an impact on the whole school community.

"It's just lifted the whole team. It's a very hot, sticky summer, and it's just reinvigorated everyone, it's a busy term for all schools," she said.

"We're all absolutely buzzing here at the school. It means the world."

"(The children) are absolutely delighted, although I have to say, they were so confident once we were shortlisted, they thought it was a home run already."

The school's staff plan to celebrate with a barbecue or family event before the end of term.

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