AN ANDOVER school marked its 70 year anniversary alongside Her Majesty the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Portway Junior School was completed in 1952, meaning it reached the seven-decade milestone in time for joint celebrations.

Last week, Kit Malthouse, MP for North West Hampshire, visited Portway Junior school to bid farewell to Tim Deery, who is retiring after 15 years as head teacher.

During the visit he was presented with a Jubilee Medal by two of the pupils. The Medal commemorates both Her Majesty the Queen’s Jubilee, but also that of the school which was built in the same year.

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Mr Malthouse said: “I’ve been a regular visitor to Portway Junior school over the years including helping to organise an Online Child Safety event with Google and Parents Zone and also presenting Nurture Group Network Awards. I have also worked with Tim in his capacity as Chair of the Andover Area Partnership for Learning and been deeply impressed by his commitment to the children in his care, and by his team at Portway.

"It’s been an exceptionally difficult couple of years and I would like to particularly thank Tim for steering Portway through this challenging period and his unwavering dedication to the school and children of Andover for the past 15 years. He has done a grand job - Bravo and thank you Mr Deery!"

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