its doors for good.

The school, which provided education and training to special students, officially closed during a ceremony on Thursday night at the Sonesta Beach Hotel in Southampton.

Principal Leon James said the school had stopped taking in students four years ago in anticipation of being phased out.

Devon Lane School was established in 1969, and Mr. James estimated that some 800 students had passed through its doors.

And over those years, Mr. James said he has seen a lot of changes.

"I've been there for 24 years and I've seen a lot of changes taken place as far as the students, teachers and the building,'' he explained. "The main change has been the mainstreaming of special students into regular schools.

"In one way mainstreaming is good because Bermuda is such a small society and the kids could have been labelled if they came here.'' But Mr. James said Devon Lane School had more programmes to offer special students than regular schools.

"We had more to offer them than regular schools,'' he added. "Our whole programme was centred around getting them ready to get around in the workplace.'' Mr. James said the students were exposed to various jobs and were sent on day release programmes to prepare them to cope in the work field.

"We have had great success,'' he said. "We have placed students around the Island in various jobs.

"I attribute the success of the school to my staff,'' Mr. James said. "When you have a good team, it makes the captain look good.

"I have a beautiful relationship with my staff and the Department of Education. They have been a pillar of support.'' The Thursday night ceremony doubled as a retirement banquet for Mr. James. "I will miss the students, staff and the regular routine.'' But Mr. James said he plans to keep busy throughout his retirement.

"I have plans for the future, I have a lot that I'd like to fulfil,'' he explained. "I don't want to get out of education completely. I don't want to sit off. I have a lot of hobbies.'' And Mr. James said he expects to maintain a close relationship with his former students.

"I've created a relationship with my former students that won't be broken,'' he said. "They still come around and visit me. They are like my own children.''