WHEN it opened in 1970, Stockwood Green Primary was considered a model of a small open-plan school.
Visitors came from as far away as America to see the children learning in the modern single-storey buildings, set in beautiful open grounds.
For the first head teacher, Margaret Burchill, the building "took a bit of getting used to" after the 19th century buildings of Victoria Park school in Bedminster.
But Miss Burchill, now 79, who was at the helm for 15 years, made sure the children and staff all benefited from the open-plan setting.
"It taught them consideration for other people," she recalled. "The children were very happy. That is something I always made certain of."
That theme of a happy small school is one that has echoed through the four decades of the school's existence.
Former pupils, staff, governors and parents all spoke last night of the contentment and care at Stockwood Green.
Chairman of governors Mike Landen, who welcomed guests to the celebration, said: "Although there is some sadness associated with this event, as none of us wanted to see the school closed, nevertheless we are here to celebrate what the school has stood for.
"It was designed to be a small school and because of this it's been possible to create a family atmosphere in which each child has been treated as an individual and known by all the members of staff."
Mr Landen, whose own four children all attended the school, said parents had chosen the school over the years because of the personal attention given to all children, whatever their needs and abilities. The school gained a reputation for helping children with special needs, some of whom had struggled in bigger schools.
replica hublot watchesLucy Wyatt, who was head for six years until 2009, said working there had been like being part of a big family.
"Everybody knew each other and there was a caring ethos," she said.
Penny Warner, 60, who lives in Stockwood, has taught at Stockwood Green for 25 years.
"I can remember after starting off doing supply there. I went home and said to my husband, 'there's something special about that little school' and there always has been," she said.
"I have had such a happy time here. I have had children in my reception class whose parents I taught years ago. Staff have come and gone but the atmosphere stays the same."
Janet Curwen, who taught music and singing at the school for seven years, remembered how at one time all the junior pupils were learning the recorder.
And Julie Uhlyk, who was a learning mentor, said she had loved working at the school.
"Even though it was a small school there were children who needed support in different ways," she said.
Ruth Wear, from Pensford, who was school secretary from 1980-89, said: "It was the best job I ever had. We had so much fun. The children were very happy and the staff really got on Loafers Flats Shoes well. I feel heartbroken that such a lovely school has to close."
Jenny Baines, who has been a teaching assistant at the school for ten years, and whose daughters Joan, 19, and Alice, 17, were pupils, said: "I chose this school because it was like a village school. I'm going to miss it very much."
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