VIP visitor for school

A DEARNE Valley village school will have a special visitor next week when the Bishop of Doncaster drops in.

Ret Rev Cyril Ashton will open newly refurbished buildings at All Saints’ Primary School in Darfield on Monday as part of a day long visit to the village.

The bishop will be unveiling modernised classrooms following a colourful facelift aimed at creating a more vibrant and fun atmosphere.

The refurbishment has involved the demolition of the ageing classrooms which have been replaced by modern learning areas.

Teachers from the school will also feel the benefit from the renovation, as the works extended in the existing school to form a new staffroom area.

Geoffrey Hutchinson, the school’s chairman of governors, said: “The school was built in 1900 and this latest refurbishment has been a most imaginative internal reconstruction to give up-to-the-minute accommodation for the Key Stage 1 children.

“The school is the oldest in the village and one where the link with the church is constantly strengthening.

During his varied visit to Darfield, Bishop Ashton will also meet volunteers from the Friends of the Churchyard group involved in clearing overgrowth and raising cash to restore key memorial stones.