School children in Durham Diocese are enjoying their new surroundings following the merger of two schools.
St Francis Church of England Junior School and Horndale County Infant and Nursery School have now joined forces on the former St Francis site, after the merger was given the go-ahead by Durham County Council earlier this year.
The newly-named St Francis Horndale C of E (Aided) Primary School has officially opened its doors to pupils following the summer holidays, with the council having completed work to accommodate all staff and children on the one site.
The authority has invested £650,000 in upgrading the facilities at the school, including a new layout with added capacity in each classroom, as well as new LED lighting, heaters and furnishings.
An outdoor play area has also been installed for the infant and nursery children who have moved to the new site, which is less than 20 metres from the former Horndale County Infant and Nursery School.
The school now has capacity for 210 primary school pupils as well as a 26-place nursery class for children aged three.
David Akers, Director of Education for Durham Diocese, said: “We are delighted to see both Horndale Infants and St Francis Church of England Junior School come together to form St Francis Horndale C of E (Aided) Primary School. This is a great example of both the local authority and the Diocese working together for the benefit of all the pupils in the Diocese.
“The school’s vision of ‘let your light shine bright’ was embodied throughout this merger and the love that permeates every interaction is testament to the work of the staff at the school and the amazing children that attend there.”
Cllr Cathy Hunt, the council’s Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “We’re delighted that pupils and staff are already making the most of their upgraded facilities, with the new school year getting off to a fantastic start.
“Offering one, more modern and effective school site will help staff to deliver a broader curriculum and make it easier for children to transition from nursery to primary school. As well as offering children at St. Francis Horndale the best start in life, it will make it easier for staff to work together as a team to provide an engaging education and supportive, nurturing school environment.”
Lisa Lakey, the school’s headteacher, said: “We’re so pleased to be all together in our completed school and have everyone under the same roof.
“The upgraded facilities are fantastic and will help us to enhance our current provision whilst also offering extra capacity for the community as it continues to grow.
“We’re very grateful to the council for completing the work so quickly and feel proud that we have been able to work together to make sure the new St. Francis Horndale is the best it can be for our lovely pupils now and those who will attend in the future. We look forward to seeing our students grow and celebrating all that they achieve.”
Pictured, top: Lisa Lakey, the school’s headteacher (left) and Cllr Cathy Hunt, cabinet member for children and young people’s services (right), with pupils in one of the updated classrooms.
Pictured, left: Front L-R; Cllr Cathy Hunt, Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, with headteacher, Lisa Lakey, St. Francis Horndale’s head students, and Archdeacon Rick Simpson, alongside (back L-R) David Akers, Director of Education for Durham Diocese; David Bowes, the school’s chair of governors; Jim Murray, the council’s head of education and skills; Brooke Pickett, deputy headteacher; and Joanne Copeland, deputy headteacher.