MORALE was at an all time high as teachers moved into Malmesbury's new school at Corn Gastons this week.

But the celebratory feeling was tempered by continuing lack of funds.

Because of unfair Government spending arrangements, schools in Wiltshire get less cash than in the rest of the country, and while Malmesbury may have a new multi-million pound school, it still has to struggle with finances from day to day.

"It's hard work," said chairman of governors, Keith Sharp.

"At one point Wiltshire was the second worst funded, now we are about fifth from bottom.

"If this new school had been built in Hertfordshire we would probably have about a quarter of a million pounds more in our operational budget."

Mr Sharp has written to education secretary Estelle Morris about the situation and the Government has promised a review of funding next year.

"We will believe that when we see it," he said.

The school manages to maintain a full complement of staff despite the cash shortfall and the new buildings will be fully equipped when the school opens after the Easter holidays.

"The atmosphere was electric when I went in on Thursday and there is a real mood of excitement in the staff room," Mr Sharp said.

He praised the dedication of the staff, who have worked hard throughout the move, but have never lost sight of the importance of providing the pupils with a quality education.

In particular he singled out headteacher Malcolm Trobe who has overseen the move.

Mr Sharp is looking forward to a new era. "Now we can do even better without being hampered by the older buildings or the split site," he said.

Until now there have been two separate sites, one for older pupils at Corn Gastons and another for younger students up at Filands, which has meant teachers having to travel between the sites for their classes.

The state of the art school will bring a range of new opportunities, with high tech facilities including ten science laboratories, seven technology rooms and a new information technology suite. There will be 32 classrooms, four art rooms, two music rooms, a dance studio and a gym.

The new school will not open officially until September, but a garden party will be held and parents will be given tours in June at the end of the all-important exam period.

The new school has been paid for through a private finance initiative.