Full of cheer at Benson

Chinooks and cheers marked the official opening of the new Benson C of E Primary School building recently.

Children and guests waited patiently for a special fly-over by a Chinook helicopter from RAF Benson and then cheered long and loud as the Revd Colin Fletcher, Bishop of Dorchester, cut the opening day ribbon helped by members of the School Council.

Later Boris Johnson MP praised the facilities at the school and unveiled a slate stone plaque which read 'Working together, Valuing everyone, Learning for Life.'

The day of celebration marked the culmination of five years planning to amalgamate the former infant and junior schools into one school of 215 pupils on the junior site.   The Victorian building has been extended to include six new classrooms.

Headmistress Linda Neely said being one school had made a huge difference to the staff and children, allowing a seamless education through the primary years and increasing the sense of unity and responsibility for each other. It also meant the end of the dash between sites for parents with children at both schools.