Welcome to Westlea School, Swindon

Someone once said that the best way to see England was to go and live abroad.

Well, one Swindon teacher did just that but on her return to England soon realised that Swindon has plenty to offer.

Anne Wang has been teaching in Swindon for over thirty-five years - the last fifteen spent at Westlea Primary School, where she is currently senior teacher.

Last year was an eventful time for Anne when she won the regional National Teaching Lifetime Achievement Award - and when you see her in action it is not difficult to see why.

Anne Wang

She gains the respect of her pupils by treating them as people, taking time to hear what they have to say and encouraging them in everything they do - both at school and outside of the classroom.

At the same time, Anne has also witnessed her home town become the fastest growing conurbation in Europe and one that is now hungry for city status.

Despite Swindon's lack of apparent cultural splendour, when you see how Anne and her class enthusiastically talk about Swindon life you soon realise that there is more to the town than first meets the eye.

She starts each class with a discussion of what has been in the papers - and her children seem very clued up on local and national issues.

Anne is also quick to recognise that it hasn't always been an easy ride for Swindon.

David Murray John building, Swindon

"When the railway works closed, the town could have collapsed. But it didn't. We've expanded and many firms have kept going. Swindon people are fighters - there's a Swindon spirit."

Anne is very proud to be a native of Wiltshire - although she doesn't class herself as a Moonraker.

"I do love the folklore of Wiltshire but I don't know enough about it. I've been away too long to be a Moonraker"

She also realises how many of the children who come to Westlea School are from families who have moved to the area from elsewhere.

"Very few in Westlea come from Swindon and therefore the school is very important for a sense of community. Where else would parents meet each other?"

When people come to stay I show them how really proud I am of Wiltshire.

Anne Wang

The school stays busy throughout the year - even during the summer holidays.

Anne says the grounds of the school are always open and while the number of green spaces diminish the school's playing fields have become even more important.

She also believes that keeping the school at the heart of the community has prevented vandalism becoming a problem.

So far as moving away again, Anne is resolute that Swindon is her home and she's more than happy to stay put.

"It's all right living here. Swindon is central for most things - I've got a lovely house and a church I enjoying going to and I've got really good friends here. So I really wouldn't want to move."