PUPILS, teachers and parents at a Bournemouth primary school have been laying the foundations for their future success at a special ceremony.

The event, hosted at Winton Primary School, saw youngsters joined by representatives from Bournemouth council to lay engraved bricks into the new extension's commemorative wall.

And more than £500 was raised on the day for school improvements through the Buy-a-Brick campaign, in which friends of Winton Primary are invited to sponsor a brick in the £1.7 million extension due for completion in September.

The much-needed teaching and classroom facilities will expand the 630-pupil school from a three-form into a four-form entry primary school, which will accommodate up to 840 children.

The extension will feature a small hall, drama studio, music room, four classrooms, an office and supporting accommodation.

Young bricklaying apprentice Tadek Barnes from local contractor Stepnell - responsible for building the new single-storey teaching facility - was on-hand to help during the ceremony.

Among the sponsors laying bricks at the event was a former head teacher, an ex-pupil who attended Winton School during the 1940s and several local families who have seen five generations of children go through the school.

Current head teacher Neil Tarchetti said: “As a community school, developing better links with our wider community is vital to us.

"This project is as much about community relations as fund raising for the school and it was a pleasure to welcome so many guests with longstanding associations and an interest in our school and its pupils.”

Neil Goddard, service director for community learning and commissioning at the council, said: “It’s fantastic to see the local community coming together to celebrate the work taking place to expand and enhance Winton Primary School.

"The expansion works form part of the council’s plans to increase the number of primary school places in Bournemouth in order to help meet the continuing demand. We are pleased to see that the works are well under way and on track for completion in time for the start of the autumn term.”

His words were echoed by Stepnell contracts manager Trevor Middleton, who said the school "clearly holds a special place in the hearts of many".

"It’s wonderful to be involved in a project that is generating so much excitement and unity amongst the local community," he added.