the children and staff of St James Church of England Primary and Nursery School celebrated their first day in their brand new building on Tuesday.

The children spent the day exploring their new environment, enjoying their outside space and creating a time capsule to represent what the school means to them. Items chosen for the capsule included photographs, a copy of the Okehampton Times and prayers written by the children.

Parents, governors and other members of the school community then joined them for a special assembly to mark the occasion.

Head of school Suzie Stevens said: ‘We have had a wonderful first day and the children are thrilled to be in their new building.

‘It just looks beautiful. It has been a long time in the planning and it is very exciting to actually be in the building.’

An official opening ceremony was planned for July 3, she added, which would involve the whole community.

Mrs Stevens added her thanks to Okehampton Primary School where the new St James Primary School’s first Reception cohort of 13 children has been based in a separate classroom since September, while their brand new premises were being built.

The school has been taking shape on land off the Crediton Road over the past ten months and has been built by specialist contractors Morgan Sindall. Initially it will have space for 210 children, with the potential for more classrooms to be added to accommodate up to 420 pupils as the town grows.

For the full story, pick up today’s copy of the Okehampton Times.