21 October 2014

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

TOWN Mayor Nick Hodges performed the official opening ceremony for the new buildings at Blackwell school yesterday (20 October).

The school has changed from one to two-form entry and needed eight new classrooms, a studio and a “learning street” with resources including a library to accommodate the growing number of primary age children in its catchment area. The admission class and years 1 and 2 already have two forms, and as the children progress over the next four years, the whole school will become twin-formed

Staff and students congregated outside the school to see Nick  cutting the ribbon before a handful of children each released balloons bearing a hand-written message in the hope that whoever eventually finds the balloons will write back to the school.

West Sussex and Town Councillor Liz Bennett, who also attended the opening ceremony, said after she had toured the new buildings: “I can see just how thrilled the children and staff are with their amazing new class rooms. They are light and airy and have a homely feel – I think they are the luckiest school in East Grinstead.”