GUNNISLAKE'S Victorian primary school, which was built in the 1870s, entered the 21st Century on Monday, when a bright and modern extension, plus some refurbishments, were officially opened.

Performing the ceremony on behalf of Cornwall County Council was Cllr Doris Ansari, who has a Lifelong Learning Portfolio.

She was accompanied by Gunnislake's county councillor and chair of the school governors for many years, Godfrey Smale.

Headteacher for the last 12 years, Mac Mackeown, said everyone at the school, staff, children and parents, were excited and overwhelmed by the £355,000 scheme which had transformed the facilities beyond recognition.

'It is over and above our expectations and we are all thrilled,' he said. 'There has been a campaign involving the community, parish council, parents' school association and many many more people to provide local children with the facilities they deserve, over a number of years. Godfrey will tell you it has been a hundred years!'

Gone is the once drab entrance and dingey corridor.

The school is now accessed through a spacious and welcoming reception area.

A splash of sunshine has entered the building with the bright yellow walls and brick red carpets, with a wide sweep of stairs leading up to the classrooms, where the decor changes to a bright lime green.

Off to the left of the reception is the favourite addition as far as the pupils are concerned and after several weeks it is still a cause for much excitement. It is the new state of the art gymnasium cum assembly hall, which is in fact the first time the school has ever had a hall, and it offers the children an opportunity for PE in the building - a new experience.

Drama

The school hopes to be able to purchase some portable staging for their drama productions and special events.

The staff have also not been forgotten. The head now has his own office, as has school secretary Jean Day, and there is a large staff room with modern facilities, and a new storage area leading off.

The former cramped staff quarters shared by everyone, has now been opened up into another room from which has been formed the new school library and IT centre. The ceiling has also been lowered with some bright lighting added and re-decoration. An amazing transformation.

On opening day the school invited many guests, including representatives from the community who helped the school achieve their goal.

Also included was the leader of the school's Ofsted Inspectorate of 1998 who was delighted to accept the invitation.

'It was the Ofsted report which carefully highlighted our needs to enable us to properly fill the curriculum,' said Mac, 'and from then on things at last began to happen. We also received a lot of support from the LEA officers.'

Also among the guests was county architect Peter Woodford whom the school says put a tremendous amount of care into the design.

They are also grateful to the main contractors, Ian Williams Ltd (Plymouth), who began the work last May, completing on time at the end of February.

Guests

'I particularly want to thank Mike Wakenshaw, site foreman, and the team, for doing a brilliant job and creating a harmonious working relationship with the school,' said Mac.

Also among the guests were about 40 former pupils of the school all aged 60 and above.

Eldest of these was Mrs Annie Jope, a nonogenarian and local historian, who went on to teach at the school, and who is a regular visitor who enthralls the children with her tales of Gunnislake Primary School in the past.

The visitors were shown around the building by the pupils, who had also made a display about the history of their school, which was of great interest.

Mac Mackeown, who was previously acting head at Darite Primary and deputy head at Liskeard Junior, says he is lucky to have a very hardworking and pleasant staff, both teaching and non teaching. He teaches Yr 6 along with Judy Fricker.

There are 96 children on the roll in four classes, with the other teachers being Keith Hubbard, Irene Rowan and Rachel Walsh, who is also chair of the PSA.

Teaching assistants are Chris Bennett, Wendy Perkins, Sue Warren (also site supervisor), Alyson Wakem, Pam Wearne, Debbie Jope, Jane Kemp, Hayley Jenkins, and Gillian Spottiswoode.

Mac says that Gunnislake School can now become a part of the community in its fullest sense, as he is hoping that the new facilities can be shared by all in the future.

'I have ideas that include introducing a library for adults as at present the village only has a mobile van, making the IT equipment available for people, and the hall could be used for various events. These are all visions which need however to be discussed and arranged,' he said.

'This has been a wonderful day not only for the school, but also for Gunnislake as a whole. We now have something that everyone should be able to enjoy,' he added.