A ROYAL Wootton Bassett Primary School has re-opened as an academy in the Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust.

St Bartholomew’s Primary Academy in The Rosary opened to much fanfare yesterday when children, parents and school staff assembled in the playground to take part in a noisy Big Ring to open the new academy.

It was opened with a cry by the Town Crier, Owen Collier, followed by the clanging, chiming and tinkling of the bells they had all brought to school.

Following the Big Ring a special service was held in the assembly hall and pupils shared their ideas and aspirations for the future of their school with the guests.

Samuel Case, headboy, and Emily Gurr, headgirl, both 10, were pleased that the school had officially opened as an academy.

Sam said: “It’s really exciting and a big change for the school and we’re all quite excited about it.”

Emily said: “It’ll mean there are a lot of changes, a new uniform and a new logo too as well as lots of different things happening.”

As part of the ceremony Canon Harold Stephens, chairman of the Salisbury diocese Board of Education, offered prayers and a blessing for the academy and community.

The new logo and motto was designed by pupils and features the stained glass window of Salisbury Diocese depicting the iconic tower of St Bartholomew’s and All Saints church and three children holding hands below a rainbow.

The new motto, ‘hand in hand we learn’, was also a phrase suggested by pupil Syndee Rawlings to show the school’s overruling principle of caring.

A teddy bear mascot bearing the logo was presented to the pupils as a symbol of their further partnership by Andy Guest, Salisbury Academy Trust Chief Executive.

The school’s new role as an academy in the diocese of Salisbury academy trust will see the school working more closely with the diocese as well as other schools in the area.

The school’s headteacher Suzanne Lane said: “It gives us an opportunity to develop an already close relationship with the diocese. We will benefit from their experience and guidance. We have chosen it and it is going to put more pressure on us, but we think it’s what is best for the pupils and the school as a whole.”