THE start of the new school term saw the dawn of a new era in Radcliffe.

Radcliffe Primary School opened its door for the first time on Tuesday, following the amalgamation of Radcliffe Infant and Radcliffe Junior schools. The two schools have been merged as a result of falling pupil numbers, but as they were sited next to each other on Coronation Road, there has not been too much disruption.

Headteacher Glen Webb said: "There has been a frenzy of building work during the summer months and building work on the new foundation stage unit is now complete. It provides excellent facilities for nursery and reception age pupils."

Mrs Webb added: "The rooms are light and airy and all the children have access to designated play areas. The arrangement means that children can transfer from the nursery to the reception classes -- which will have a maximum of 25 pupils -- with very little disruption and upset and so have the best possible start to their formal education."

Work in the junior department has begun to create a corridor to link the two buildings and this has led to improvements in the Year 6 wing.

Major building work will now continue at the front of the building in order to complete the link corridor and provide administration facilities and a reception area for parents and visitors.

Mrs Webb said that despite the inconvenience and disruption of the next few months, the staff are very committed and positive about the new school.

She said: "We know that the result will be an attractive learning environment which really will benefit the children of Radcliffe and we are all looking forward to seeing the finished result."

Mrs Webb added: "The local residents' associations use the building for their meetings and we have already begun to work with these associations to develop the lodges at the back of the school. Radcliffe Primary is all set to become an integral part of the local community."