MEMBERS of the Bere Regis community gathered to celebrate the completion of a brand new primary school for the village.

The keys to the new £5million school were handed over by contractor Morgan Sindall to headteacher Wayne Roberts at a ceremony on Monday (Dec12).

From January, 135 primary and pre-school children and their teachers will be able to enjoy this high quality building which provides modern and accessible facilities including five classrooms, main hall, a pre-school and extensive playing fields and courts.

It will replace the existing school in the village.

Dorset Property, the county council’s building consultancy group, provided design and project management services for the scheme which has taken nearly four years to bring to completion.

Cllr Peter Wharf, who represents Bere Regis, said: “The new school is a first class facility for local people.

"The old brick building at Rye Hill served as the school for over 80 years, but was not large enough or suitable for teaching today's curriculum.”

He added that the new school allows for day to day flexibility and future adaptability if future needs arise.

The new school is all on a single floor level and a new access drive has been created as well as improvements to the local footpath network to encourage walking to school.

Headteacher Wayne Roberts said the new school was something the whole community could take pride in and make use of.

“It’s a wonderful new facility which will add hugely to what we can offer the children here at the school,” he said/

Jon Daines, area director at Morgan Sindall, said: “We’re delighted to have delivered this fantastic new school, which will provide pupils and teachers with a contemporary, spacious, sustainable learning environment.

“The new facility has been specifically designed to remain in keeping with the school’s stunning surroundings and the materials used will blend seamlessly into the natural rural environment.

"It’s a sustainable and cost-effective building to run and manage and includes high level windows to ensure the lots of day light and good natural ventilation.”