A new educational chapter has begun in Surrey with the official opening of the Lightwater Village School on September 19, 2023. The school emerged from the merger of the former Hammond Junior School and the historic primary school, which has served the local community since 1932. The ceremony was presided over by Al Pinkerton MP, who cut the ribbon to mark the start of the school year.
The decision to create Lightwater Village School was made after extensive consultations with parents and teachers, reflecting a desire to honour local heritage. The newly formed institution will operate on two sites: the Lightwater Village Infant School & Nursery and the Lightwater Village Junior School, which was previously known as Hammond Junior School.
Community Celebration Marks New Beginning
The opening festivities brought together parents, students—both past and present—and staff, all celebrating this significant transition. Attendees included Cllr. Louise Ashbery, the Mayor of Surrey Heath, highlighting the community’s commitment to education. The event featured a range of activities, including performances by students who sang the school’s new song, “We’re Proud of Our School.” Students also participated in the ceremonial ribbon-cutting for a shared school field, followed by playtime activities with their families.
In a delightful touch, the event concluded with a visit from an ice cream van, bringing smiles to the faces of the children. Francesca Hooker, Headteacher of Lightwater Village School, expressed her enthusiasm for this milestone, stating, “This is a very exciting day for everyone at our school and the culmination of a careful integration of two schools. I’m so delighted that we have been able to maintain continuous and consistent education for all pupils, and I know our families are excited about the journey ahead for the newly merged school.”
Unified Vision for Future Education
As part of the merger, Lightwater Village School has implemented several changes to enhance its educational environment. Both the Infant and Junior sites now feature new signage, a unified website, and integrated social media channels. A new school uniform has been introduced, along with a central phone line and email address for inquiries.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Al Pinkerton MP highlighted the importance of community involvement, saying, “It was so impressive to see the enthusiasm and passion shown by everyone involved in uniting two schools into one. I’m always grateful for the opportunity to visit our schools because one of my key priorities as MP is ensuring the best start in life for all of our local children.”
James Nicholson, Interim CEO of GLF Schools, also shared his excitement for the future of the school, noting, “It’s wonderful to see the enthusiasm around today’s official opening of Lightwater Village School, which will continue to provide an excellent education for children in the local area. This union means pupils will still experience a continuous education and an even more seamless transition as they move up the school.”
The opening of Lightwater Village School signifies a new era for education in Surrey, uniting the strengths of two institutions and fostering a strong sense of community in the process. As students embark on this new journey, the commitment of staff and families promises to create a vibrant learning environment that will serve the needs of the community for years to come.
