School's out for ever

5:26pm Friday 18th July 2008

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Cheers, tears, hugs and applause greeted an assembly to mark the end of an era as an Oxford school closed its doors for the last time today.

Pupils and staff at Peers School, Littlemore, filed in to the sound of Chariots of Fire, accompanied by a slide show of images from the school's history.

In September, the city's first academy will open on the school site.

Headteacher Ed McConnell paid tribute to staff and students during an emotional assembly yesterday.

He said: "Today is a very special day. Peers comes to an end and it is the end of an era.

"The school is about to move in to a new era where you will have an opportunity for a fresh start and to make the reputation of your new school from the beginning."

When the school reopens its doors as the Oxford Academy, 18 of the school's 47-strong teaching staff will no longer be there, with many new faces forming the line-up of 66 teachers.

Among those who will not be returning is 51-year-old deputy headteacher Jeanette Mackie who has been at the school for 10 years.

Addressing the packed hall of pupils and staff, she fought back tears and said: "You need to see today and what lies ahead as an opportunity. There will be a new school being built that is going to rise out of the ashes of Peers, like a phoenix.

"You deserve the very best and you have not received the very best in terms of this school building and some of the difficulties that have occurred. I want you to be proud of investing in the future."

One of longest-serving member of staff to leave yesterday was technology teacher Steve Love, who has been at Peers since 1985.

He said: "I have mixed feelings. I am very sad at leaving.

"My memories of Peers are lots and lots of laughter both with the staff and students. I am going to miss my mates and my kids. It has been an adventure."

Veteran Peers teacher Ian Jones - who has been at the school since 1982 - decided to stay, despite leading the fight against the controversial academy.

He said: "I am very sad about the end of Peers, but the important job now is to make it work for the kids."

Pupils were in celebratory mood, signing each others shirts.

Callum Florey, 13, from Littlemore, said: "I am happy and excited about the academy, although I am a little bit upset Peers is ending."

And Chloe Thorpe, 14, of Blackbird Leys, said: "I don't know how to feel. I am upset, but in a way happy because the school holds so many memories. I am quite scared and nervous about next year because I don't know how different it is going to be."