Ribbon cutting marks merger of two Gosport schools

Brockhurst Junior and Infants Schools recently joined together and teachers say already pupils are reaping the rewards.

Following a poor Ofsted that the junior school received, a consultation was put out to parents asking them whether they would like to make the two schools into one primary school. Almost everyone who replied was in favour.

And with the merger complete, yesterday Councillor Peter Edgar, executive member of education for Hampshire County Council, cut the ribbon that stretched from the infant to the junior school.

Cllr Edgar said: ‘The move has been welcomed by the community at large.

‘We believed that this was the way ahead for the school and it will help improve Key Stage 2 results.

‘Some children find it quite difficult to transfer schools and we should try and take education as one across the range as far as possible.’

‘It was quite amazing to see the excitement on the children’s faces.’

Although the school is still on two campuses, north and south, it means that siblings and friends attend the same school which headteacher Gary Nicholls said that students are really enjoying.

Mr Nicholls said to be head of both schools was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and he has taken a hands-on approach to his new role.

He said: ‘I wanted to take what worked well from both schools and have taken advantage of the resources.

‘We’ve only been open for four weeks but already the children like being part of one school.

‘We teach every single child, from reception to Year 6, to be respectful and responsible, both at school and at home.’

Across the day, the pupils shared lunchtime as one and also underwent fun activities in the classroom.

Emma Lowry, who’s on the Friends of Brockhurst, is expecting the school to have a flying Ofsted report.

She said: ‘Because we knew Mr Nicholls was going to be head, it was a fantastic idea.

‘Morale was previously low at the school but that has now completely changed and everyone is really happy.’