TWO sets of primary school pupils returned after the half term to entirely new school buildings.

In Llangors nearly the whole village turned out to see the children move into their new premises.

While in Hay on Wye families were also delighted to see a gleaming new school when they arrived after the break.

The new school in Llangors has been built on part of the old school’s playing fields.

The two schools are part of Powys County Council’s plans to replace five of the primary schools in the Gwernyfed catchment area.

Staff, governors, pupils, parents and friends gathered on Monday morning to bid farewell to the old school before walking together from the new school.

The official opening of the new school and cutting of the ribbon was performed by Doreen Tranter, Diz Howells and Sheila Davies. The three ladies have all worked or volunteered at two previous Llangors schools, making this their third.

Head teacher Lynne Jones said it was a delight to welcome the three women and entirely appropriate they were at the opening.

She said: “Staff have worked very hard getting the school ready for the opening and are looking forward to teaching pupils in this new, bright and stimulating environment.”

While the pupils settled into their new surroundings refreshments were provided in the hall for parents and friends who were able to stay. The school will now host an ‘open afternoon’ for the whole community on Sunday, March 4 from 2pm-4pm. In Hay-on-Wye the opening of the new school was marked by the unveiling of a new logo.

A competition was launched several months ago for pupils to come up with the new design and around 20 entries were received. Staff whittled these down to a final six and then all the parents, governors, staff and pupils voted to choose their favourite.

The winning design was created by year three pupil Enid Dix to coincide with the opening day.

The book and the castle featured in Enid’s logo have been incorporated into some of the school’s interior signage.

The old school will now be demolished to make way for a new playground and playing fields and the work should be completed by the end of April.

Head teacher Alexine Bartholomew said the pupils were clearly excited to be moving into their new surroundings. She said: “Staff have worked really hard to get the school ready and parents and pupils were full of compliments about the new building.”