IT’S officially open, at last.
One of the borough’s newest primary schools celebrated its launch with a celebratory fete … just a year later than planned.
Coronavirus put paid to the original plans to celebrate the launch of Shinfield’s Alder Grove Church of England Primary School, which started welcoming pupils in September 2020.
Lockdowns and other covid restrictions delayed any launch events, but on Saturday, October 2, a ribbon cutting was finally able to be held.
Parents, carers and pupils were joined by guests, including members of Wokingham Borough Council and the Diocese of Oxford’s board of education, to watch
Archdeacon Stephen Pullin and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Abdul Loyes, cut the ribbon.
Hester Wooller, the CEO of The Keys Academy Trust and Executive Head of Alder Grove, said: “In a very short time, the head of school Philip Theobald has built strong relationships with the local community to establish Alder Grove at the heart of this new community”.
The official opening of Alder Grove was followed by the school’s community fayre, featuring traditional games as well as workshops in drumming and yoga.