AS A new school term began all over Cumbria, bustling with excitement and anticipation of a new academic year, there was a twinge of sadness for many of my local community that the corridors of Heversham St Peter’s Primary School remained silent following its closure in July 2017.

That closure was marked with well-attended open day events - welcoming back past pupils and previous headteachers for the last time. I am a parent of one of the last pupils to attend Heversham St Peter’s Primary School.

There is though, perhaps one last recent untold story of Heversham Primary School, one that that didn’t have time to be included in the amazing hardback history of the school, written and published by the remaining 15 pupils of the school.

The idea of a book was suggested by the pupils themselves as the best way to complete their 'topic' for the summer term. Copies of this book have been distributed to Heversham Church, The Athenaeum and Milnthorpe library for public viewing.

That last story of Heversham Primary, however, is one of how local communities can generously support each other, despite them not being required or expected to do to do so.

Following the unexpected retirement of the last permanent head of Heversham Primary in December 2016 there could have been a further two terms without leadership at a time when the viability of the school was probably already being questioned behind closed doors.

The village of Heversham and Leasgill was fortunate to be supported by the local community of Endmoor. I understand the headteacher of Endmoor, Mrs Suzanne Edmondson, proposed to her governing body that it would be right thing for their village to support another local village school in need, by sharing her resource with Heversham.

I am extremely grateful to the governing body of Endmoor Primary School for supporting that proposal (and handling the inevitable stresses that came from a subsequent decisions to close the school).

The generosity of Endmoor in sharing their kind and compassionate headteacher enabled Heversham St Peter’s Primary School to close with dignity and a smile, even retaining the last 15 pupils across the whole of the last two terms because they were continuing to receive a rich and vibrant education taught by happy staff team, led by a loaned excellent headteacher.

Thank you Endmoor for sharing your fantastic headteacher with us, I wish you every future success with your village school.

The picture from the school gate noticeboard at Heversham on the last day is an indication of a job well done by professional caring staff.

Carolyn Moses

Heversham