STAFF, parents and pupils marked the end of an era when their school buildings closed on Portland.

They held a party as the school building – which has been at the Grove for 150 years – closed its doors for the last time. The name of the Grove Infant School was lost last year when the school became the Grove campus of the Isle of Portland Aldridge Academy.

It now looks forward to moving to a brand new building at Osprey Quay in September.

Jane Hurdiss, who has been the head teacher for 12 years and head of campus over the last year, led the celebrations.

She said: “Today is a very special day, when we celebrate everything that the Grove School has been and achieved over the years in the community. “Although sad to close these doors, we are very proud to have played a major part in the vision for Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy (IPACA), which is already giving our children so many opportunities and which I truly believe will give our children on Portland a first class 21st century education.” The little school was originally built by prisoners for prison officers’ children and has a long and chequered history.

Over the years it has twice battled against closure and, from a judgement of ‘serious weaknesses’ by Ofsted, has, over the last 13 years, been judged twice as an ‘outstanding school’.

Past and present children, parents, governors and supporters marked the occasion with a celebration assembly in the afternoon and a party in the school in the evening.

IPACA – for students aged four to 19 –is already up and running on Portland. It opened in September 2012 and is based in four existing Portland schools on separate campuses.