Hitchin’s Wilshre-Dacre Junior Academy on Fishponds Road relaunched its clock tower as the culmination of a successful two year fundraising campaign.

Hitchin’s Wilshre-Dacre Junior Academy on Fishponds Road relaunched its clock tower as the culmination of a successful two year fundraising campaign. Head Sarah Smith said: “This process started when we changed our uniform with the clock tower as the new badge.

“I wanted to get the clock working again and the tower refurbished as it was the symbol of the school.

“Our PTA known as POWA, and organiser Faye Silver jumped at the chance to do the I Love Hitchin Bag which raised £8,000.”

Former teacher Barbara Pennicott cut the ribbon, adding: “I’ve never stopped loving Wilshere-Dacre.

“It’s a special school, and I have so many wonderful memories.”

Addressing the school’s Year 6s who are about to move to secondary school in September she said movingly: “I’m sure you’ve enjoyed your time here. “Life is a little bit more serious at ‘big’ school – so I hope the wonderful memories you’ve gained, and the friends you’ve made here will last a lifetime.”

More than 100 staff, parents and pupils attended the event which was held before the school’s popular end of term summer fayre.

The school ended its academic year on Friday after a hilarious series of sketches by Year 6 pupils based on their teachers in front of a packed house of parents, children and staff.