IT has been a year since the gates of St Bartholomew’s CofE Primary School were opened for the first time and the staff and pupils have now settled into a routine, according to the school’s deputy headteacher.

Formed by a merger of Windmill First and Middle schools and Areley Common First School – closed following last year’s Wyre Forest district education shake-up – the Stourport primary school has been revamped to meet the younger children’s needs.

Although the kitchen has yet to be built on to the former Windmill Middle School site, the youngsters have adapted well to the changes, brought about by the district’s switch from three school tiers to two, with middle schools going.

Zoe Newton-Smith, deputy headteacher, said: “The first year has been hard because of the new team of teachers and pupils and the new curriculum. We also had to get used to teaching younger pupils.

“Initially, it was hard for the children to adapt but now they are very settled and the teaching and learning is good. The teams have all gelled together and we have had a cracking start to the year.

“We have a children’s centre coming on site, which is going to be the hub of the community.”

She explained that “a lot” of changes were made to the building to make it suitable for years one to six.

They included lowering toilets and all furniture, adjusting stairways, heightening the perimeter fencing and adapting all the classrooms for the different age groups. Reception and nursery classes are still held in the old first school building.

Two new computer suites and a nurture room for children who find it difficult in a normal classroom environment were also added.

At lunchtime, all the children play together and boys are encouraged to play football on the field.

Susan Helps, acting headteacher, said it had taught them to work as a team and given them encouragement.

“The boys have a big space to play football, which benefits them a lot,”she added.

She went on: “My feeling when I came to visit the school was that the majority of the pupils are wonderful.

“I feel privileged to be here and it’s a great school. A lot of hard work went into establishing it. The school has coped very well with the changes.”