Pupils and staff at Old Moat Primary School, Withington have celebrated the opening of their brand new £7.7m school building this week with a 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' themed ceremony.

One pupil from each of the seven year groups in the school - nursery through to Year Six - wore a different colour of the rainbow as they cut the ribbon across the doorway into the school, accompanied by a whole school rendition by all pupils of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow'.

Sally Lamb, Acting Head at Old Moat Primary School, said: "All the time the children watched the new school being built, they said they were looking forward to the pot of gold that would be their new school at the end of the building rainbow - hence our theme for the opening.


"Our new school is quite simply wonderful. There is a real feel good factor about the place that hits you as soon as you walk into the building in the morning. Staff really enjoy teaching in our new classrooms that are bright and airy, and the children are thoroughly enjoying the new building and are even more enthusiastic in class than they were before."

The new school building is a two form entry school for 480 pupils, including a 60 place nursery. Facilities include an ICT suite, sports hall, a dining hall that can also be used for other functions, and a brand new kitchen. Externally the grounds have been fully landscaped and include an outdoor multi use games area, a sports field, and a wildlife area.

A new community hub has also been incorporated into the design, and is already being used as a venue for a local playgroup. It is hoped that daycare provision will also be provided within the hub in the near future, as well as other courses and activities for parents.

(CD/GK)