SETTLE Primary School closes its doors today after 146 years at its Upper Settle site.

The school is moving to purpose-built premises on Bond Lane field, next door to booths supermarket, and is due to reopen on September 9.

Headteacher Ian Parker said: "The new school on Bond Lane will bring us into the 21st century as far as buildings go. Whilst we look forward to many modern features it will be things so many schools take for granted that will excite us most.

"The use of a school field on site, a purpose-built kitchen where fresh school meals can be cooked and a nursery unit as part of the school will be luxuries we have never in the past been able to experience. Add to this modern features such as a computer suite, interactive whiteboards which provide big screen facilities in each classroom and a thorough security system to enhance the education and wellbeing of the pupils."

This week the school enjoyed sports day and today (Friday) a leaving party was held for the whole school, including the nursery, which will also move into the new premises in September.

Last week there were concerts and a leavers' assembly, a leavers' disco and a barbecue for parents.

While the staff and pupils are looking forward to moving, there is much nostalgia and affection for the old building.

To mark the end of primary education in Upper Settle the pupils in class five - who will be at Settle Middle School next term - have carried out an in-depth history project about the school.

Their work is in The Folly museum for members of the public to enjoy throughout the summer. They looked at the old log books, registers and researched social history such as children's names, parents' occupations and found out about old scholars who gave their lives in the First World War.

Past pupils were invited into school to talk to the children and many interesting memories were gleaned. Onyx Ralph, who used to teach at Settle High School, Pat Smith, of the North Craven Buildings Preservation Trust and other local historians were regular visitors to help the pupils with their research.

With 140 children on the roll, space was at a premium in the current building, constructed as a school in 1857.

The new school was made possible thanks to the sale of part of bond Lane field to Booths, with North Yorkshire county Council using the proceeds to build it. It was a controversial chapter in Settle history, however, as various supermarkets vied for a site in the town with the whole episode dubbed "store wars".

The school building will now be emptied as term ends and is due to be sold by auction next Friday, July 26, at 2.30pm in the royal Oak, Settle. It has planning permission to be converted into seven houses.

o The Herald is producing a special supplement to commemorate the move by Settle Primary School. Sponsored by Booths, the supplement features articles written by the pupils and will be available free with the paper on August 2.