AN ATHERTON primary school is celebrating the completion of a £186,000 project, bringing its150 pupils together on one site for the first time in 40 years.

Sacred Heart R.C. Primary School has operated from two sites ever since a separate infant block opened in 1957 at Lodge Lane.

A new classroom and resource centre block has now been opened on the Lodge Lane site. The school has said farewell to its original 1870s home in James Street, where the juniors were still taught until last year.

On Tuesday, the whole school was rededicated by retired priest, Father Dermot O'Donaghue, at a special ceremony attended by governors, councillors, parents and parishioners.

Father O'Donaghue was the school's chairman of governors and parish priest for 27 years until he retired in 1995.

Headteacher Marie Stewart said: "It is wonderful to have new facilities and this marvellous new building. The biggest advantage is the whole school community has come together on one site."

The new accommodation includes two classrooms, a large resource area, children's toilets and new rooms for the headteacher and secretary. A covered walkway connects it to the existing building, and a new front entrance has been created.

Other improvements carried out at the same time, include a new play area, better staffroom and storage facilities, and repairs to windows, doors and flat roofs.

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