A NEW entrance vestibule for Copplestone School was opened by former school governor, Mrs Marion Born.

She said this was the first September for 27 years, (when her own children started school there), that she had not been involved in the preparations for the start of another academic year.

Mrs Born had been a school governor for 24 years, retiring this year. Mrs Born added: "I have always taken an active part in the school family, ensuring children enjoy a good learning experience."

She said it was good to see the new front entrance completed and wished everyone well in the future.

The 4.7m by 2.2m double glazed entrance area was built by Castle Landscapes, based in Copplestone and run by Nick Bellfield.

This, and other work, was completed in a month, despite the bad weather. But it meant some long days, such as when they had to mix 66 loads of concrete in a mixer which, said Nick, represented more than 1,000 shovelfuls to get it to where it needed to be.

Headteacher Stuart Busby commented: "This new entrance adds to children's security and provides a waiting area for parents."

He said the school currently has 194 pupils but by next January it will be a seven-class school, when the new building is finished.

With the pupils and staff at the opening of the entrance were Nick Bellfield and Wilson Forster, chairman of Crediton Learning Community.