Mixed emotions as school closes

A closing ceremony was held on Tuesday

A school which has served the north of the Isle of Man for 103 years has rung its bell for the final time.

Albert Road Primary School has closed to make way for the new purpose-built Scoill Ree Goree in Lezayre Road, Ramsey, which opens in September.

A closing ceremony was held at the school on Tuesday, attended by past and present staff and pupils and education minister, Anne Craine.

She paid tribute to the school's contribution to the community.

"It is not often that a minister is asked to close a school but today is a day of celebration and recognition of all the many years' good teaching that has gone on within the walls of this school," added Ms Caine.

Mike Faragher, head teacher for the last 17 years, said the school had "a firm place in the history of Ramsey".

A large number of people from the town had visited the school on Monday night to have a last look around, Mr Faragher said.

He said it was with "a mixture of sadness and excitement" that staff and pupils were leaving to the new building, which has a capacity of 380 pupils.

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