A Leicester primary school is celebrating its £3million extension project with an official opening event.
Wolsey House Primary School, in Beaumont Leys Lane, has been extended with six new classrooms, plus a new classroom for reception pupils and a new, larger staff room.
The improvements mean the school will be able to increase its intake by up to 210 more pupils, by having three classes in each school year.
The new extension offers flexible space for learning and modern facilities for children and staff at the school. It was commissioned by Leicester City Council, with work carried out by contractors Wates Construction.
Helen King, headteacher of Wolsey House Primary, said: “We feel fortunate to be part of the Leicester city primary schools’ expansion programme. The investment in the school has enhanced the learning environment for the children and families with access to a super new building for Key Stage 1. We have already benefited from the building and staff and children have settled in quickly.”
Jenny McHugh, chair of governors, added: “This new environment is hugely positive for our school and has clearly made a really big difference to the staff and children here at Wolsey House.”
The opening event will include a whole-school assembly with singing from the school choir, plus a tour of the new building for invited guests.
Cllr Sarah Russell, assistant city mayor responsible for children, young people and schools, said: “This extension provides fantastic new facilities for Wolsey House. It’s also allowed the school to expand, which is great news. I’m very pleased to see such a successful project being so well used by all of the staff and children here.”
John Carlin from Wates Construction Midlands added: “We were very pleased to work on this project, during which we set up a Leicestershire-based supply chain, boosting the local economy.
“We have a long-standing presence in the region, which has seen us lead on more than 70 school projects over the past five years.”
The city council is expanding and extending both primary and secondary schools across the city to create more pupil places and meet demand.
More than 1,000 additional places were created across all primary year groups for 2016/17 and more are currently being planned for the 2017/18 academic year.
