A SMALL village school near Winchester is advertising vacancies in every year group.

Owslebury Primary usually has around 85 children on roll, which are split between four different classes depending on their age.

Those at the school are keen to increase the number of pupils and particularly hope to help those who have not been given a place in their first choice school.

A spokesperson for the school said: "For most parents, we want our children to be happy, settled and confident. We want them to be immersed in a learning environment that motivates and excites them so that they are engaged, and achieve their potential – not just in English and Maths, but across the broader curriculum. "We want them to make friends who will enhance their lives, and to be part of a community that values what they have to offer, and supports them through their time at the school."

Staff hope the rural countryside setting will help attract more pupils, and say the views from the school field "look like picture-postcards".

Around half of the children come from outside of the village in more urban areas, but can experience harvest time first-hand, and they can see horses, cows and crops growing throughout the year at playtime.

Every classroom opens directly onto the school grounds and lessons take place both inside and outdoors.

Those at the school say the size of the premises helps student-teacher relationships become more 'personal', and that all staff 'know all of the children'.

A spokesperson said: "With small classes, we are able to deeply understand each child, and tailor projects, lessons, environments and provision accordingly.

"For children starting school for the first time in Reception, or for children moving from another school, home-school or from another country, coming into our family environment, builds confidence and brings the best of out everyone within it."