It's a Fresh Start and the future looks good

Worcester's newest school was launched in perfect sunshine with music, balloons, special guests and, most importantly, smiling children.

Pupils and headteacher Alex Wall sang for the parents, who then joined in a rendition of This Little Light of Mine, before the ribbon was cut and the school officially named.

There was a buzz around the school and while many parents had reservations about the replacement of Elbury Mount Primary, the day went a long way towards reassuring them.

"I think it's really going somewhere," said Wendy Fulcher, a mother of six children - four of whom went to Elbury Mount and two now attend Fairfield Community Primary School.

"It seems very positive. The children are happy and that's the main thing. It's a matter of maintaining this and I think the school will."

Roger Phillips, father of five-year-old Jade, in Year 1 at the Fairfield Close school, said he also had high hopes.

"It's gone well and everyone is really excited," he said. "I've been smiling all afternoon. We didn't know what the day would be like but it's been better than I expected.

"If this carries on I will be very happy."

And it certainly will continue if pupils follow Mr Wall's two school rules.

"We want them to have fun," he said. "That doesn't mean mucking about but enjoying learning. Secondly, we ask children to be sensible and sensitive to the needs of others.

"If these are followed our school will be a beacon that shines out for the community."

For three-and-a-half years, a number of county councillors suggested closing the school on the site permanently and sending Brickfields youngsters to other schools outside the area.

However, those who thought a Fresh Start might just mean a lick of paint and change of name were wide of the mark as new staff and facilities greeted pupils on their first day.

Everyone present seemed to agree that Fairfield Community Primary School is more than just a new school - it is an opportunity for excellence.

It opens educational doors for people of all ages, whether at nursery, primary school or the Fairfield Centre; the word "community" was not chosen by accident.

"It has been a long battle to fight for this school and it's happened - the vision is here and now," said cabinet member for education June Longmuir, speaking at Wednesday's opening.

"If you really want it to succeed you have to go on fighting for it and if young people are going to be literate, well read and enjoy school they need support from their parents.

"The community centre is there and it's no good saying 'I'm 50, I'm out of education', because that centre is for everyone up to the age of, shall we say, 105.

"This is a dream come true. I hand that dream over to you and I know that you are going to make it successful."

As if to prove her point more than 150 people were at the launch, among them scores of proud parents and grandparents.

County councillor John Buckley, who has led the interim board of governors during the transition phase from Elbury Mount, was particularly delighted to see the backing.

"We want to encourage the parents to come to the school and take part as much as possible," he said.

"We don't want the school day to end at 3.15pm and everyone to go home. We want to get parents and their children doing other things like joining clubs.

"It's a real community area and we hope families will take part in activities together."

And there is more still to come.

A new school building is due to be completed by 2006 and the finished article will see the Fairfield Centre and school joined, with a medical centre also on site.

The community spirit in the Brickfields area has always been strong. Now its school has the investment, staff and leadership to match, the future is bright.