The increasing population of Bourne during the second half of the 20th century meant the provision of more school accommodation because of the heavy pressure on the buildings available at the existing primary school in Abbey Road. It was therefore decided to build new premises for infant and junior children and a site was chosen on the western side of town where so much new residential development was already underway. Thus, the Westfield County Primary School was opened in September 1975 after the first phase of building was completed although there was considerable additional development to follow. 

The school roll initially had 90 children using three infant classrooms, two halls and a staff room, which was also used as the head teacher's office, the secretary's office and medical room. Conditions were to say the least, rather cramped. The kitchen was unfinished when the school opened, as was the playground while the playing field was unseeded and unfenced and the children used the car park for their recreation instead. As there was no money left for landscaping the grounds, the school established a planting scheme which encouraged the children to look after the environment and be aware of the trees and shrubs that were in their care. 

There was no telephone for the first term and staff had to share the use of one installed in the builders' hut on the construction site. Miss June Fletcher, who married and became Mrs Woollard in 1980, was appointed as the headteacher and Mrs Walker and Mrs Robinson were the two classroom teachers. They made a very good team and together with Mrs Popple, the caretaker, worked hard to ensure that all the furniture and equipment was unpacked and the classrooms ready for the beginning of the new term. 

Mrs Richards was the part time secretary and Mrs Bailey the cook. The builders were very much in evidence during daily life for the first two years. The kitchen opened during the first term and by then, work had started on the second phase of the building which provided six further classrooms and the administration block. There was a great sense of loyalty and pride in both the school and the new buildings and, aware that they were creating a little bit of local history, the children worked hard to produce the highest possible standards. Mrs Burchnell was the Chairman of the School Governors, or Managers as they were then called, and the whole governing body felt very much part of the team. 

Over the years the school has grown considerably and by the year 2000, there were 580 children in 21 classes. Mrs Woollard and Mrs Walker both retired within a few months of each other in 1997 when a new headteacher, Tim Bright, arrived. Two new deputies, Mrs Karen Knott and Mrs Chris Wright, were also appointed by the school governors under the leadership of their chairman, John Megson. 

The school has undergone three very successful Ofsted inspections in 1996, 2000 and again in 2008 when it was judged as "outstanding". It has also become acknowledged by the Investor in People Organisation, the first school in Lincolnshire to be awarded this honour in August 1995 and was re-recognised in November 1998. Over the years, Westfield Primary has earned an enviable reputation for delivering a caring, disciplined education with excellent academic and sporting results and both the headteacher and staff are dedicated to ensuring that this will continue in the future.

In 2011, the school successfully applied for academy status which became effective from November 1st when the name was also changed to Bourne Westfield Primary Academy under the provisions of the Academies Act of 2010 which enabled all schools to become state funded and independent of local authority control.

The conversion was part of the coalition government's plans for a reformed system of strong, autonomous schools, to promote innovation and flair by giving them more freedom to decide how best to meet the needs of their students, parents and the wider community. Any school with an outstanding report from Ofsted was able to apply for the new status, a condition fulfilled by the school in 2008. This will enable the school take advantage of the government policy of more money and more independence and to implement their own admissions policy and curriculum, set their own pay and conditions for staff and vary the length of terms and school working days.

Tim Bright, aged 57, had announced his intention to retire after 14 years as headteacher, but because of the change of status decided to stay on until the summer of 2012 and see the school through the conversion stage and so provide stability for the change. He was appointed to succeed the first headteacher, Mrs June Wollard, who retired in 1997, and subsequently supervised the growth of the school from 475 pupils to its current roll of 630.

The official switch to academy status was marked by a visit from the town's M P, Nick Boles, the member for Grantham and Stamford, on Friday 18th November 2011 to open a new classroom block. He was accompanied by the Mayor of Bourne, Councillor Brenda Johnson, on a tour of the building and also unveiled a commemorative plaque and attended a performance of the school choir. Year 6 pupils acted as hosts for the guests during the afternoon.

A new headteacher was appointed from the start of the autumn term in September 2012 to succeed Tim Bright who retired after fifteen years. She is Elaine Radley, 48, formerly principal education adviser with the Centre for British Teachers in Lincolnshire who had also been headteacher at four other primary schools. More recently she had worked as senior school improvement adviser in Peterborough supporting schools that needed special measures or had serious weaknesses and in 1999, she became an accredited Ofsted inspector and has since taken part in more than twenty inspections.

Mrs Radley told The Local newspaper (27th July 2012) that she was looking forward to being back in school on a permanent basis and creating relationships with pupils as they developed. “It is a great privilege to watch and help children grow into well integrated people,” she said. "I was particularly attracted to Westfield because I found it a very warm, friendly and relaxing school and I know I will enjoy my time here."

A new learning facility known as the Mezzo Centre was opened at the school in 2014, a two-storey building specially designed to inspire children at their lessons with a number of "learning spaces" downstairs and functional meeting rooms for the staff upstairs. Bourne Educational Foundation helped fund the extension with a grant of £11,500 and it was officially opened on Monday 29th September by the actor, Warwick Davis.
 

PHOTO ALBUM
THE OLD SCHOOL SIGN The school changed its name from 1st November 2011 when it was granted academy status under a government scheme to become state funded and independent of local authority control.
Nick Boles M P and the Mayor of Bourne, Councillor Brenda Johnson, visited the school on 18th November 2011 for the opening of a new classroom block and unveiled a brass plaque to mark the occasion which also coincided with the granting of academy status. "We had a fantastic afternoon", said Ian Cappitt, vice-chairman of the governors. "The school has done an absolutely sterling job over the past few months."

REVISED SEPTEMBER 2014
 

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