after the school announced the purchase of the National Sports Club site yesterday.

The school is set to start the September term at the Devonshire location where it will add middle years' students studying an international programme, which could be a first for the Island.

Headteacher Margaret Hallett said: "It's a dream come true -- it has been many years in the planning, it's so encouraging to see it come to fruition.

"The kids are very excited, it's really wonderful. Everyone is looking forward to more space and new facilities.

"Some students may have had to move but now we can accommodate them as we increase the age range.'' The school had outgrown its Tivoli, Warwick site where it was barred from expanding by owners the National Trust. It must still await final approval from planners before starting work on renovations in Devonshire.

The move is being made with a $3.5 million dollar bridging loan from Partner Re but Mrs. Hallett says the land purchase and refurbishment could top $5 million and could require another loan.

She said: "We are renovating so we can have classrooms -- any extensions will be minimal.

"We will get a library and art room -- we don't have those now. IT will be improved. We have hired a new IT co-ordinator for next year.'' Each classroom will have five computers -- up two on the present number.

Classes will keep the low pupil/teacher ratio -- with one teacher per 15 pupils while three to six-year-olds have one teacher for every 12 pupils.

The school is now opening its doors to older students as it begins to run the International Baccalaureate programme.

Mrs. Hallett said: "It's a very, very sound academic programme.'' "It's an internationally recognised programme providing common grounding for students all over the world.'' She said it differed from the one offered by Bermuda High School for Girls who were teaching those 16 and over.

And she said the programme would appeal to expatriate parents, who would like the fact that the qualifications were transferable abroad, as well as locals.

"There are eight subject lines connected between subjects. They aren't isolated.

"If the student wants to study history they might do a project on an old building in St. George's.

"But they might then do a study for environmental science and also take measurements for a project in maths and design.

"One topic has a lot of connections.

"It has a real emphasis on international culture.'' "It may be attractive to expat parents but also appeal really, really strongly to Bermudian families who want their children to be exposed to the rest of the world and to have an achievement recognised on a world basis.

"We are not aware of anyone else doing it on the island.'' The school is currently advertising for entrance applications into the first two years of the new programme -- years seven and eight.

Montessori will also add an extra class for three to six-year-olds and for six to nine-year-olds as it ups enrolment from 135 to 200. By 2004 when the International Baccalaureate scheme is fully in place numbers could top 300.

Representatives from the school are to meet with the Rugby and Hockey Associations to decide whether they can continue using the playing fields.

Mrs. Hallett said: "The school intends to make the field available for sporting use in Bermuda in ways consistent with the main academic and youth orientation of the property.'' Mrs. Hallett thanked the community and Partner Re for chipping in time and money to make the move possible.