THE Westgate School in Winchester has celebrated the ‘graduation’ of its first cohort of Year 6 pupils.

They celebrated after becoming the first cohort to move from the Fulflood school’s primary phase marking the final stage of its eight-year transition into Hampshire’s only all-through school for pupils aged four to 16.

The 60 youngsters will join the secondary phase in September – along with 180 pupils from other schools.

Headteacher Fae Dean said: "The move from Year 6 to Year 7 is special for all children – but for our pupils it is especially exciting this year. They were the first very pupils in our first Reception and they have grown with the school. And now, after eight years, we are now truly all-through."

Over the past eight years the school has been evolving and growing. Pupils in Year 6 joined the school in the September of their Reception year. Initially they were taught in classrooms in a temporary building in the grounds on Cheriton Road, whilst their new school was being built, but soon moved into the new purpose built buildings - which included 14 new classrooms, a library, music and drama room, a new hall and play areas.

This academic year was the first in which Westgate had pupils in every year - from Reception (aged four) through to Y11 (aged 16). In addition, its nursery has over 55 children aged 3 months to 4 years - many of whom will attend the all-through school.

From the start, the school leadership team, with support from the governors and parents, was determined to ensure that pupils at the school benefited from the all-through experience