SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: New school gets royal seal of approval

PUPILS and staff of Countess Gytha Primary School were very excited to welcome Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex on a royal visit.

The Countess received a rapturous welcome and was shown around the brand new school in West Camel Road, which houses staff and pupils from the former school site in Queen Camel and was built following a £4million investment by Somerset County Council, on Wednesday (November 1, 2017).

The royal visitor toured the classrooms talking to school pupils and staff before enjoying a musical medley from the children, performed in the school hall. There followed a commemorative tree planting, in memory of the school’s late head teacher Sue English, who sadly passed away earlier this year.

HRH warmly thanked all at Countess Gytha School, saying that she was honoured to be invited and congratulated everyone involved in the build project on their hard work. All the pupils The Countess spoke to, she said, were delighted with their new school.

Steve Chaudior, chairman of governors at Countess Gytha Primary School, said: “We were so excited to welcome The Countess of Wessex to our school and show her our brilliant new building and facilities. Our focus is on raising the quality of education and opportunity for every child. We were very proud to show HRH how we are making sure that all our pupils achieve their potential.”

The county council’s children and families spokesman, Cllr Frances Nicholson, said: “It was marvellous to have The Countess of Wessex visit the new school and meet pupils and staff.  The new school was built following flooding at the old school, which was 140 years old, and it was a great opportunity for the children and staff to show HRH the light and modern building and facilities.”

The new Countess Gytha School, named after a former Countess of Wessex, is a modern single storey school building with a pre-school area, play areas, sports courts, and bike storage.

There is a new pedestrian crossing on West Camel Road for the school and community.

The car park at the new site has space for staff and visitor parking and an on-site drop off and pick up area for parents, minibuses, coaches and deliveries.

PHOTO: The Countess of Wessex is pictured with the oldest and youngest pupils at the Countess Gytha Primary School at Queen Camel.

Tags:
News.