Pupils at the newly amalgamated Davidson Primary School celebrated the start of a new school year with a multi-faith ceremony.

Croydon Council's decision to amalgamate Davidson Infant and Junior Schools in Dartnell Road under one headteacher and to link the two schools with a corridor was approved last year.

The primary school opened for the new academic year last Friday when the Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Brenda Kirby, performed a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

That was followed by a multi-faith ceremony held by the Imam of Croydon, the Bishop of Croydon and Reverend Wadley from the Shiloah Church.

The council's decision to amalgamate the schools was referred to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator last year along with a plan to merge Broadmead Infant and Junior Schools. The adjudicator threw out the Broadmead merger last October pleasing parents who had protested against the decision, fearing it would damage their children's education, but the amalgamation of Davidson Infant and Junior Schools was accepted.

Linda Watson, previous headteacher of Davidson Infant School, said the merger had been good for the school.

She said: "We've seen the kitchen refurbished, which will be opened next week, a new staff room and our grounds have been made even more beautiful.

"The children had a fantastic day. Each of the religious representatives blessed the school and the mayor gave a lovely talk to the children."