DORMER House School in Moreton has launched a £100,000 fundraising appeal to extend its teaching facilities and outside space.

Parents, staff and friends of the school gathered for a drinks reception and presentation on March 27 at Mill House Hotel, Kingham, to launch the “White Roses Appeal”.

The school purchased the cottage 'White Roses', in Hospital Road, after narrowly missing out on the chance to acquire the Old Police Station last year due to stiff competition.

It will enable the school to extend its facilities and provide safe access to Moreton’s park, where the school already enjoy a number of recreational and sporting activities.

Justine Berry, a parent Trustee and Chair of Fundraising at the school, said: “We were thrilled to see so many people come and support the event.

"Everyone at Dormer has become an expert at making the most of every inch of space on our compact school site, so it is really exciting that we now have the chance to extend both the teaching and playing facilities.”

Founded in 1875 by Charlotte Mason, Dormer House School is just one of four Parents National Education Union (PNEU) schools in the UK.

As the school is a Charitable Trust a non-profit making organisation, the income from fees goes entirely to the running of the school with little surplus.

Work has already begun on a fundraising programme with larger events including a “Come and Sing Day” with choral composer and Dormer Dad Bob Chilcott and the raffle of a work of art donated by local Artist Josephine Trotter.

The children are also eager to play their part by selling apples, busking and baking cakes.

Headteacher Claire May said the appeal marks the start of a new era for the school.

"We have an ambitious yet achievable fundraising target in order to be able to transform our school with fantastic new classrooms and a garden that the children can both learn from and play in," she said.

For details about the school and the White Roses Appeal, visit dormerhouse.co.uk or call 01608 650758.