A HISTORIC school in Launceston has closed its doors after teaching students for nearly 200 years.

The An Daras Multi Academy Trust has confirmed that students from Launceston Pre School have been relocated to another school in the town.

The building on St Thomas Hill which, until recently, hosted the Launceston Pre School has been home to teaching since 1835 when the town’s school was moved from the Guildhall.

Now, more than 190 years on, the school has been relocated, with its pupils integrated with those at Windmill Hill Academy.

Speaking to the Post, the trust’s CEO, Miss Jo-Anne Callow explained: “I can confirm that the children and staff from Launceston Pre‑School, previously located on St Thomas’s Hill, moved to Windmill Hill Academy in January. This followed approval from the Department for Education to change the age range of Windmill Hill Academy from four to 11 to two to 11, after a consultation with parents, staff and the local authority.”

Miss Callow has expressed that the move has been ‘very positive’ and has allowed pupils to receive ‘more consistent teaching’.

She continued: “This has been a very positive move enabling children to benefit from more consistent teaching and learning approaches and will enable a smoother transition when they start school. Children now have access to the school’s wider educational resources and provision, as well as more outdoor space.

“Since January, six new children have joined the pre‑school. Children have settled in beautifully, and the team at Windmill Hill Academy are absolutely delighted to have them on site.”

Miss Callow also believes the change has ‘created exciting opportunities’ for the town’s young people.

“Overall, the move has strengthened the provision even further and created exciting opportunities for the children.”