TEACHING in corridors is now a thing of the past at a West Devon village primary school, thanks to a major £101,000 extension which was officially opened last Thursday.

The 70-pupil Lewtrenchard School, built in 1842, had been desperately short of space and facilities — now staff and children have a new classroom, staffroom, office, disabled access and access to the school playing field.

The official opening was performed by Sir Simon Day, chairman of Devon County Council.

Sir Simon said he was delighted to perform the honour and paid tribute to the staff, children and governing body at Lewtrenchard, who raised £11,000 towards the extension.

'You have dedicated staff and teachers — where this doesn't happen there isn't the same incentive and it shows,' he said.

Headteacher Keith Urro said working towards the new extension had been a real team effort.

He said the amount of money raised by the local community was 'extraordinary'.

Mr Urro said: 'They have helped tremendously in the past and I am so grateful to everybody who has worked so hard to make this a good school, a successful school.

'I would stand at the gates and sell this school to anyone!'

He said the extension meant the children had space to learn and the staff space to teach.

'They were being taught in the corridor and in the cloakroom — people couldn't move and there were health and safety risks as well.

'All schools are judged on their results and all children should be tested under similar conditions.

'To test children in a corridor I think was rather unfair — this development is very nice, but it's ours by right,' said Mr Urro.

Chairman of governors Bob Westlake said the board was 'exceptionally pleased' with the new development, which was built in close co-operation with the local education authority — he hoped further funding would be forthcoming to finance future developments at the school.

Alan Payne, the school governors' finance chairman, said: 'We are delighted. This is the biggest development at the school since it was founded in 1842. Given the plans that exist for development in Lifton and Lewdown, this space is going to be very much needed.'