PUPILS and parents have been handed the opportunity to find out more about their new school as the district prepares for a new era in education.

Kidderminster's Foley Park First will shut its classroom doors for the final time in July but teaching will continue when it opens as a primary in September.

Children made the trip to the Northumberland Avenue school, which opened in 1894, a day before the summer term started to meet and greet their teachers and classmates.

Young models showed off the new uniforms students will be wearing in the autumn and staff answered any questions parents had about the changes brought about by the education system shake-up.

The event was the idea of headteacher designate Kathryn Sugars (correct), 37, who will leave a similar post in Droitwich to lead the school at the start of the next academic year.

She said: "It was all about launching the school because I want to get the message across that it is totally new and not just an add-on to the first school.

"The amount of people that have turned up has been fantastic. I wanted to keep it as informal and fun as possible but still make it informative for both pupils and parents.

"I think that was very important because the people these changes affect most are the children. It has been a long journey to get to this point but it is almost over and it is a very exciting time for everyone."

Coping with the switch is not unusual for current deputy head, Linda Davis, who will stay at the school as nurture class teacher helping pupils with special needs.

The former pupil, who left as a student in 1963, explained: "I was here when it changed from a primary to a first school so I suppose I have seen it all before.

"It is a wonderful place that has played such a big part in my life. I am sure everything will continue and get even better in the future."

Visit the video section of this website to find out more about the school's plans for the future.