The opening of a classroom at a primary school was marked by the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire ringing a 19th century school bell.

Ringing the changes

The new foundation class at Harwell Primary School was opened by Hugo Brunner, pictured watching former teacher Muriel Taylor ring the bell, dating from 1895, which had been used in the previous school building.

The bell is rung by every leaver, pupils and staff alike, to sound good wishes for their future.

The new classroom is in an extension to the school, which has 161 pupils, and represents an investment of £200,000 by Oxfordshire County Council.

Headteacher Peter Cansell said: "These excellent facilities offer local children the opportunity to become part of the school community from the age of four."

Former headteacher Michael Armstrong, who returned for the official opening, said the idea of the foundation class was first mooted in 1996, before being shelved.

Mr Cansell said the plans were revived when his appointment in 1999 co-incided with the announcement that Harwell Nursery School on the Harwell Laboratory campus was expected to close.

He said that the foundation class had only been approved after considerable pressure on the education authority.