15441/6CHILDREN in Sherston celebrated being part of village history this week when they moved into their new £1.6million school.

As part of the celebrations they were joined on Tuesday by the Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Rev Mike Hill, and Dorothy Dyson, the widow of former headteacher George Dyson, as well as parents in a special assembly and church service.

The bishop told the children he was very impressed with the new school, adding: "Today is a really big day in the life of this village of Sherston and a big day for the lives of you who go to the school.

"In the future when they write the history of the village, this school will be mentioned on this day."

Mrs Dyson, who taught sewing at the school, said she thought the new building was very impressive. But she said it was sad to ring the bell for the final time at the old site in the High Street because of her fond memories, particularly of when her husband was head between 1951-67.

The present headteacher, Nick Bowditch, said it was great to finally get into the building.

"It's a terrific change" he said. "In the old school we were all over the place and now the school is able to operate as a whole."

The new school is equipped with all the latest mod cons such as interactive whiteboards, an IT suite and even Mickey Mouse-themed toilets.

Governor Anthony Price said the school had been planning the move over the past three years and was glad to see it complete.

"I think it was important that we had a date stone above the school's entrance like the old school," he said. "We need to indicate that for the future this facility will be part of our heritage.

"In the same way the old school was created by local benefactors for the children to benefit, this building is for the benefit of the generations to come."

However, there are concerns about what would happen to the old site. The plans submitted are to either convert the old school into two homes or, alternatively, to convert it into four homes and build two homes at the rear in the playground.

The plans will be on show in Sherston Village Hall on Sunday from 7.30am to 11am and a public meeting will take place on Wednesday at 7.30pm.