Pupils, staff, governors and parents of Antony Church of England School gave a vote of thanks to the Diocese, and OFSTED inspectors, when they gathered to open their new school hall recently.

The new hall was opened by Alison Johns of Carlton Broadcasting and blessed by Bishop William Ind, Bishop of Truro – less than two years after the school's first OFSTED inspection in which the desperate need for a hall was highlighted.

Antony school had been campaigning for a hall for many years, and took on the huge challenge of raising the money during which the school Association was very active. However, the sums required were enormous, especially when fewer than l00 pupils attend the school.

Classroom

The OFSTED Inspection of 1997 revealed class one had to vacate their classroom half an hour early to allow for the setting up of lunch tables, there was nowhere for gymnastics and indoor games and on rainy days the children were forced to spend break periods back in their classrooms. Assemblies were crowded into one classroom and it was impossible for the whole school to meet comfortably together at one time.

Julian Pykett, Diocesan Director of Education and architect John Tanner helped bring the dream into reality. Another landmark development is that the school now has fully disabled access and facilities.

After the opening ceremony the children let off helium balloons with a prize for the one which travelled furthest, and the visitors enjoyed a slice of cake, iced by Sylvia Clemo, Lynn Vickery and Karen Crawford.

Wonderful

Jenny Cooke, head teacher, said: 'It is wonderful to see the impact that the hall has already made.

'Class one can now work properly through the morning and all children have the resources to develop their indoor games and gymnastics to the full. The children can also benefit from whole school assemblies in a more suitable environment and we can look forward to making the most of the facilities for plays and concerts.'

Alison Mandeville, chair of governors, said: 'We cannot thank the OFSTED Inspectors and the Diocese enough for realising our dream and helping us get the hall we so desperately needed.'