A BISHOP was on hand to open a new Isle of Wight school last month — as pupils took centre stage.

The new £4.5 million Freshwater and Yarmouth C of E Primary School building was formally opened with an act of collective worship led by pupils who sang songs and recited poetry.

Dignitaries including Isle of Wight Lord Lieutenant Susie Sheldon joined politicians, community leaders and parents in the school hall for the celebration, which included an explanation of the school’s new logo, values, slogan and name.

The Rev Leisa Potter, team vicar of Freshwater, Yarmouth and Totland, led the school community in prayer before Bishop Jonathan Frost rounded things off with a short talk.

The new one-form entry school was created when All Saints C of E Primary in Freshwater closed. 

Isle of Wight County Press: Bishop Jonathan Frost prays with staff and pupils at the official opening.Bishop Jonathan Frost prays with staff and pupils at the official opening. (Image: Diocese of Portsmouth.)

Its pupils joined Yarmouth C of E Primary, which has now moved into this new building on the former All Saints site.

It is part of a federation which includes Shalfleet C of E Primary.

The new building was designed by Hampshire County Council architects and built using government funding. 

It was completed over the Christmas holidays, and staff and pupils have been using it since January.

Isle of Wight County Press: Year 2 pupils enjoying their new classroom in the purpose-built school building.Year 2 pupils enjoying their new classroom in the purpose-built school building. (Image: Diocese of Portsmouth.)

The building includes new hard and soft play areas, a library, music room, a technology suite and a special needs resource base. 

All the classrooms are accessed via a single corridor, which also has multi-coloured breakout areas and roof windows.

Headteacher, Elizabeth Grainger, said: "I want to say thank you to the staff.

"Your care for these children astounds me every day, and you performed miracles to have this school ready over the Christmas break.

“We did consult staff and children about the new name for our school, and in the end we decided it was best to keep it simple.

"Freshwater and Yarmouth Primary reflects where we are and where we have come from. 

"Yarmouth is a hugely important part of our history, so we wanted to acknowledge that."