This month, our School of the Month feature shines a light on a small school with a big heart: St Edmund’s Catholic Primary School in Skelmersdale. Headteacher Annette Birmingham shares the story behind St Edmund’s mission to be a “beacon of light in a place where sometimes it can be quite dark.”

‍

A school rooted in care and community

Walking through St Edmund’s, the first thing that strikes you is the strength of relationships. From the warm welcome offered by Dawn, the school’s receptionist, to the friendly greetings from staff across the site, it’s clear that this is a community where everyone feels known and valued.

Annette explains, “We’re a small school with a big heart. We’re not just trying to improve children’s academic ability. We’re also trying to help the adults—the whole family. We want people to know they can come to us, and we will help them.”

That support runs deep. Staff notice when a family is struggling and act quickly, whether the problem is a broken washing machine or a child without a bed. Thanks to strong links with the local SVP and community services, practical support reaches families fast. The impact is clear: trust has grown, families feel safe, and the whole school operates like a family.

‍

Nurturing wellbeing: “You have to get the social and emotional right first”

At St Edmund’s, pastoral care is not an add-on—it is the foundation on which everything else is built.

The school’s dedicated Pupil Support Manager, Hayley Henderson, leads its Thrive provision, working with children on their social and emotional development. A “worry box” outside her room gives pupils a safe space to share concerns anonymously, and Hayley follows up every note personally.

“We try to stop things from escalating,” Annette says. “If we don’t sort it straight away, it has implications. Behaviour and emotional wellbeing are high on our agenda.”

The Thrive room is a calm, welcoming space used only for emotional support—not academic work. Here, children receive personalised interventions, and the impact has been life changing. Annette recalls a Year 5 pupil whose emotional development was assessed at the level of a six-month-old:

“By the time he left us for high school, he was at age-related expectations. If we hadn’t put that support in place, I think he would have been excluded. Now he’s doing great in high school.”

Where additional support is needed, the school works with Compass Bloom, a mental health support team who provide one-to-one sessions for children with anxiety and offer parent programmes that strengthen relationships at home.

Staff across the school receive ongoing training, including Team Teach de-escalation, ensuring consistency and confidence in supporting pupils.

‍

Growing spaces, growing potential

Despite being a small school, St Edmund’s has an impressive site, including a large field, multiple playgrounds, and an area dedicated to forest school. While funding challenges meant the weekly forest school teacher had to be paused, a passionate Higher Level Teaching Assistant is now creating a new outdoor curriculum, with plans to relaunch after Christmas.

Recent refurbishments partially funded by local charities Tawd Valley Lions, Children’s Charity Merseyside, Shepherd Street Trust, and the archdiocese have transformed much of the building, creating bright, simplified spaces that feel calm and welcoming. Even the youngest children benefit from purposeful early years provision, developing their fine motor skills through play dough and hands-on exploration.

The school offers a mixture of indoor and outdoor activities at lunchtime—from colouring to board games and even a pool table—helping reduce boredom and supporting positive behaviour.

‍

Faith lived daily

Although only around 30% of pupils are Catholic, faith is woven gently and consistently through school life. St Edmund’s mission statement, “Growing together in God’s family,” anchors everything the school does.

“In assemblies, we talk about families - our home family, our school family, our community family, and God’s family,” Annette says. “It doesn’t matter what colour, religion, or culture we are - we’re all part of the same family.”

The school maintains strong links with the parish community, travelling by coach to Mass three times a year. They also encourage families to engage with the weekly Wednesday Word to share the Gospel at home.

St Edmund’s is also proud to be working towards the CAFOD LiveSimply Award, taking action to care for creation and stand in solidarity with global neighbours. Spearheaded by Assistant Headteacher Georgia Buckley, children have learned about climate change, explored Pope Francis’ messages, written letters to their MP, and created posters calling for environmental justice.

The Jubilee Year has been marked with prayer, creative activities, and a large whole-school display celebrating hope.

‍

A place where every child can flourish

Academic standards at St Edmund’s are steadily rising year on year, thanks to a committed and skilled teaching team. Mixed-age classes present unique challenges, but teachers adapt learning carefully and provide targeted interventions each afternoon.

Perhaps the greatest achievement, though, is the culture the staff have created together: a calm, purposeful school where children feel safe, loved, and worthy.

“We tell the children that they must expect the best for themselves,” Annette explains. “We model positive relationships and help them see they deserve the very best.”

Stories of success are plentiful - children with complex needs settling into routines, pupils achieving milestones parents never thought possible, and former pupils thriving at secondary school.

‍

Pastoral care that extends beyond the gates

Parents are also supported through coffee mornings, creative workshops with Lancashire Adult Learning, and help with practical challenges such as filling in forms. Through local groups like The Family Hub in Skelmersdale, families are guided towards services without needing to repeatedly share their story.

“It’s about helping the parents so the children can learn,” Annette says simply. “We have to get that right.”

‍

Celebrating heritage and local pride

St Edmund’s has its own colourful history too. Former headteacher Dave Ashley, well known and beloved in the community, once appeared on Stars in Their Eyes as a Frank Sinatra impersonator. “When he was here, the school did really well—lots going on, strong PTA, a very good school,” Annette recalls. “You do feel a bit under pressure when a famous former head comes back!” she laughs. “But he was quite proud and impressed with what we’ve done.”

Another example of creative talent from the school: former pupil Ruby Heywood won the BBC’s “As You Write It” playwriting competition with her play “All The World’s A Stage,” which became the first production staged at the new Shakespeare North Theatre in Prescot. Ruby is now pursuing film production studies at Media City.

‍

“It’s not me—it’s the team”

Annette was keen to acknowledge the dedication of her staff:

“It’s not me who has made the changes—it’s all of us together. We’re nearly back to those strong ‘Dave Ashley days’ of offering the community hope. That’s what matters.”

At St Edmund’s, that hope is unmistakable. It shines in the relationships, the calm corridors, the joyful children, and the quiet, steady belief that every person—child or adult—is precious, loved, and capable of flourishing.

‍