STAFF and pupils of a tiny West Somerset school have taken delivery of a new mini-bus following a year-long fund-raising drive.

Old Cleeve Church of England First School, in Washford, has about 116 pupils aged from three to nine years.

It started fund-raising in the early part of last year and held events including bake sales, a bingo night, community breakfast mornings, and a sponsored walk, and also received donations from local businesses and families.

A silent auction last November was the final fund-raising event of the year and exceeded all expectations with the final sum raised totalling £25,183.82.

Headteacher Emma Murch said the minibus would play a crucial role in enhancing educational experiences for students by providing safe and reliable transportation for school trips, sporting events, and other extra-curricular activities.

Mrs Murch said: “We are overwhelmed by the incredible support from everybody involved.

“The new minibus will greatly benefit our students by ensuring they have access to various learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

“This achievement is a testament to our strong community spirit.

“I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the small team of adults who dedicated so much time to organising the fund-raising events and driving the project, we are so grateful to each and every one of you.

“Thank you Katherine, Jess, Laura, Megan, Lucy, Jenny, Sam, and Rob.”

One pupil, Poppy Bishop, aged nine, said: “I am so excited for the new minibus.

“It means we can go on more trips and learn about different places.”

Five-year-old Luna Howe said: “Now we can go to the beach and the farm.”

The school, which is part of the Minehead-based Beacon Education trust, was rated ‘good’ in all categories when the Government’s education inspectorate Ofsted last visited, and its early years provision was ‘outstanding’.