At your service... pupils run village post office

FOR more than a decade since their local post office closed pensioners in a Yorkshire village have faced a 10-mile round trip every time they ran out of stamps.

But now primary pupils have given the Post Office a lesson in public convenience by providing an "unofficial" counter service in their school assembly room – which used to be an outdoor toilet.

Residents in the North Yorkshire village of Foston who were saddened to see their local branch close 12 years ago are now quite happy to visit the former toilet at the school, which is open for business with all 18 pupils trained to serve behind the counter while at the same time improving their key skills such as maths and English.

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Teaching assistant Laura Glass, 29, said: "The parish council were aware we desperately needed a post office service in the village. The last one closed in 1998 and the nearest one is five miles away, meaning it was very problematic for elderly residents, and we suggested that the old toilet block be used.

"We got a grant and set to work on converting it. We then realised that by getting pupils to run it we could help teach them crucial skills at the same time.

"We have had donations from locals of cards and bookmarks to sell in the shop and the Post Office have given us items such as stamps to sell. We even managed to get a till from Freecycle.

"The children will run it, properly supervised by a member of staff. They love it and it gives them key skills, and the residents love it because it is such a personalised service."

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The small brick building housing the lavatory was refurbished by the school several years ago and used as a library and for assemblies.

But following a 250 grant from local Tory councillor Clare Wood they began to transform it into a post office – and now they are looking to expand it further.

The thriving little business is open during the 1pm and 1.15pm lunch break, and for 15 minutes after lessons end at 3pm.

And there is no chance of locals being left without during school holidays, since the landlady at the local pub the White Swan, Lucy Pilgrim, has offered to step in and run it until the children return.

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The school post office had a grand opening last week attended by all pupils, staff and dozens of residents from Foston, which has around 200 inhabitants.

Money earned by the scheme will be put into the school's accounts, the children then deciding what they would like the cash spent on – sporting equipment and books are expected to be top of their shopping list.

Villager Laura Deighton's five-year-old daughter Grace attends the school and has been serving customers at the unusual branch counter.

Mrs Deighton said: "Grace thinks it's wonderful and great fun, and she and all the kids will be learning really useful social skills.

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"Before this you had to make a 10-mile trip to even buy a stamp or buy a greetings card, which was very problematic as the village has a lot of elderly people.

"But this will be a great asset to the community.

"They've got everything you could possibly need such as wrapping paper and stationery, and the kids are brilliant. They are so friendly and helpful."

The outlet stocks stamps, greetings cards, envelopes, bookmarks and a few donated toys but has hopes of expanding what it has on offer to provide more of a tailored service to local customers.

Teaching assistant Ms Glass said although the shop is unofficial, the Post Office did provide them with logos, stamps and special delivery bags to help the pupils on their way.

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She said: "We've had quite a few people coming in to get their stamps and send packages.

"But now we're hoping to expand a bit and we've sent out flyers asking what the villagers want, they may want Christmas stamps or something like that.

"We also want to get packages that you have to sign for delivered here instead of other post offices."

A spokesman for the Post Office said: "We must stress this is not an official outlet but it is a very positive thing for the school to do and we wish them all the best."

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A school spokesman said the success story underlined its original approach to education.

"The friendly and approachable staff encourage parental involvement, and our children learn to show a pride in themselves and their achievements. We are very lucky to have Laura Glass working as a teaching assistant in school," he added.

A Special kind of education

The primary school which has opened up a post office for its village's 200 residents stocks stamps, greetings cards, envelopes, bookmarks and donated toys.

For over 150 years, the village school at the foot of the Howardian Hills has prided itself on a unique approach to education to generations of families. Foston School's current mission is to provide a stimulating 21st century education for all its children in a secure and caring environment.

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Its small classes promote creativity, imagination and fun, according to staff.

The current project came about when the school council seized on an issue raised by residents in Foston's parish plan – that they had no post office.

The school council took the lead on the idea and appointed a member as an accountant.

Villagers have also rallied round and provided cards and book marks which can be sold in the post office, and even a cash till.

The post office is open every day during school term.