PUPILS, staff and parents marked the opening of their new school alongside the Mayor of Winsford with a special tree planting ceremony.

The excited children at Oak View Primary Academy – formerly Greenfields Primary School on Whitby’s Lane – didn’t let the rain dampen their spirits as they welcomed in a new era for their school, that joined the North West Academies Trust on April 1, by plating an oak tree in the school grounds.

Clr Mike Kennedy addressed pupils and parents as part of the ceremony and spoke of his support for the team behind NWAT and their commitment to providing an outstanding learning environment for Oak View pupils.

He said: “People talk about little acorns growing into mighty oak trees and I firmly believe that you, the pupils, will become strong and mighty through your time at your new school.”

Clr Kennedy also spoke of how the school’s vision – believe, expect, succeed – reflected the ambition and drive behind the planned regeneration of Winsford.

Steve Docking, chief executive of NWAT and headteacher of Delamere Academy, welcomed the Mayor’s support.

He said: “We are committed to providing the pupils of Oak View Primary Academy with the very best start to their education, through fantastic resources, dedicated teachers and the expert support and guidance of the trust.

“We want to help show the children of Oak View Primary that there is a whole world of possibilities out there, by exposing them to a rich and varied curriculum.

“To help us achieve this we have been given £50,000 a year, for three years, by the Timpson Foundation – to be spent on enhancing the curriculum for all the children.

“Oak View’s newly-appointed headteacher Fiona Rimmer has already started planning some great trips and experiences for the summer term and we are all really excited about what the future holds.”

All pupils will be given a new uniform from September and the school is currently running a competition for the children to design a logo for the newly-named classes they will join next year, which will be used on the school website and classroom doors.