A Wiltshire school that had been under threat of closure has been transformed and is now expanding.

When headteacher Amy Bekker-Wrench took over Chirton Primary School, near Devizes, in 2013, the school was at risk of being closed and had just 19 pupils enrolled.

Now there are just under 100 children at the school, and the facility has formally merged with the onsite Pips Preschool after a decade as separate entities.

Mrs Bekker-Wrench has thanked everyone involved in the growth of the school over the last decade, as it has moved away from the threat of closure.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Chirton Primary School pupilsChirton Primary School pupils (Image: Chirton Primary School)

“For various reasons I think a lot of families had lost trust in the school before I was here so people were pulling children out left, right and centre”, she said.

“It just needed a bit of a rebrand and a new lease of life, it was really challenging having such small numbers.

“I’m extremely proud of the whole team that has been part of this transition and we’re exited for the next stage, it’s a wonderful time.”

One of the features Mrs Bekker-Wrench believes has helped the school succeed is its emphasis on Forest School provision.

The primary school now enjoys a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating while the preschool is rated as ‘Outstanding’ and still has some places available.