School celebrates major extension

The Rt. Revd Dr John Saxbee officially opened the £81,000 facility at the Middle Street school at the special ceremony on Thursday 7th October.

The event also saw various invited guests, including members of the diocesis, representatives from Corringham Parish Council and West Lindsey Council chairman Coun Owen Bierley.

School business manager Katherine Hammerton thanked everyone who showed their support and helped to make the event a great success.

“It went very well and we were very lucky to have such lovely sunny weather,” she said.

“All the children took part in a service at St Laurence’s church beforehand, then pupils lined up in the playground to sing the school song, which celebrates over 140 years of the school being open.”

Corringham Parish Council chairman Pete Oldfield said he felt privileged to be part of such a special event.

“I was very impressed by the behaviour of the children in Church – the Bishop of Lincoln had them in the palm of his hand and it was a really nice occasion,” he said.

“The extension to the school will benefit what is a very vibrant and expanding organisation which is very well led and managed drawing in children from a wide area.”

The new extension, which was completed in September this year, boasts new offices and staff room, as well as a secure entrance lobby.

This has freed up space for pupils to use as an assembly room and working area for small groups.

Katherine said the extension is already proving its worth among pupils and staff alike.

“The building company Gelders told us we have been a small project, but to us it’s made a vast difference to the school and the children just by having this extra space,” she said.

“It’s great having a new staffroom. We’re not sat on each other’s knees now and have running water at last.”

She added: “But it’s the children who have really benefitted the most, as they now have a quieter working area where they can work in small groups assisted by members of staff.”

“It’s also great that we have a secure entry system which means we are meeting key safety standards.”

The new extension may only have taken four months to build but it has been much longer in the making,

Katherine said she project-managed the sceme alongside substantive headteacher Rachael Paige, who is currently on a year’s secondment.

“It’s been a long time in the planning stages, and has been funded by the school’s devolved capital funding,” she said.

“The school was so short on space that something needed to be done. It’s so great to finally see the extension become a reality and I know it will be of great benefit to everyone over the years to come.”