THE end of the summer holidays could not come soon enough for pupils at Chiseldon Primary School as they prepared to journey to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Excitement was building through the summer holidays after each of the pupils received a letter inviting them to attend the magical school at the heart of the Harry Potter novels – complete with a ticket for travel from Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters.

Arriving at the school gates on Wednesday dressed as their favourite characters from the JK Rowling novels they found the building transformed.

The spellbinding start to the term is all part of the school’s project this autumn surrounding the books, and was conjured up to ensure there were no first-day tears.

School deputy head teacher Suzanne Taylor – who took up the role of Hogwarts deputy Professor McGonagall – said: “The whole idea is to create an atmosphere around the school to create inspired learning. They are really excited, and can come in all week dressed as their characters.

“Instead of having normal classes this week they are meeting all the different teachers and doing potions, transfiguration and charms – all of the classes from the books.

“The whole idea is to inspire their learning and make them excited about coming back to school as no-one really wants to come back to school on the first day after the summer holidays. But this really got the parents excited as well."

This week the staff will remain in costume as their teaching counterparts, while the pupils are invited to attend all week in costume as well.

The theme continues into the rest of the school year, and some of the classes will visit the Harry Potter studios later in the term, while others will be visiting Lacock where some of the scenes from the movies were filmed.

This Is Wiltshire:

Maisey in her wizard's costume. Picture by Thomas Kelsey