TWO former pupils at a Wiltshire school have named a new outdoor learning centre after the headteacher who is retiring after 16 years at the school.

Although the building of Rowdeford School’s new learning centre is still under construction, staff on Tuesday decided formally to name the centre ahead of the school holidays.

Outgoing headteacher Ingrid Sidmouth, who has been at the school since 2001 and head since 2003, said: “It’s a huge honour to have the centre named after me. It’s very humbling and I am absolutely delighted.

“Rowdeford is a wonderful school. We have a great team of staff members and the pupils are fantastic.”

The naming celebrations took place at the spot where the facility is to be built and were conducted by former pupils Jamie Rowcliffe, who set up his own campaign to raise money for the centre, and Lauren Booth, a national and UK cycling champion and Paralympian in training.

The centre, which will be finished ready for the new term, has been financed through the efforts of The Rowdeford Charity Trust and other supporters.

Jonny Grew, chairman of the Rowdeford Charity Trust, said: “We are so grateful to so many people and organisations. Costing more than £200,000, the purpose-built facility will give access to the outdoor facilities around the school to more pupils and community groups.

“We are also really pleased that we can honour our retiring head teacher Ingrid Sidmouth by naming the centre after her.

“Ingrid has been such an important leading light since she first became deputy headteacher in 2001. It is appropriate the centre should be called The Ingrid Sidmouth Centre.”

Members of the pupils’ Green Team and others guided the guests to the site so they could see the progress being made and learn more from the representatives of the Trust and the school.

Terry Kemp, the trust’s fundraising coordinator, said: “Rowdeford School is a special school for special young people. The success of the school is seen in the smiles and the determination to succeed everywhere you look. The new centre will allow the School to share more smiles with more.”

Ingrid has vowed to come back and visit the school as often as she can and is keen to see the centre open.