New Gordano English block named after Graham Silverthorne

A NEW English block at a Portishead school has been named after a former headteacher.

The new English block at Gordano School has been officially named the Silverthorne building after former head Graham Silverthone.

Mr Silverthorne, 52, was headteacher at the school for seven years before leaving last summer to take up a post of principal at South Island School in Hong Kong.

A special plaque was unveiled at the new English block, which was opened this September, to commemorate Mr Silverthorne's time at the school.

The unveiling was carried out by North Somerset Council assistant director of education, Paul Jacobs, and attended by councillors, governors, former headteacher Bob Sommers and students.

Mr Silverthorne also recorded a video message which was played at the opening.

The ceremony was finished off with a cream tea and a tour of the new building.

The new two storey block has six new classrooms, two IT suites and a meeting room and was funded by North Somerset Council at a cost of £2.2 million.

Headteacher Gary Lewis, who took over the reins last September, said: "This was a fantastic way to commemorate Graham's time and contribution to the school.

"This year 80 per cent of our students got C or above in English so the official opening was a real double celebration."

Several other headteachers have had buildings and classrooms name after them.

The library is called the Bob Sommers Library, the Lorenz Room was named after Freddie Lorenz and the Elliott Room is named after Gordano's first head, Cyril Elliott.