The official opening of the newly-expanded Stanway Fiveways Primary School, Colchester took place with a ribbon cutting and the burying of a time capsule.

East Anglian Daily Times: The burial of the time capsule Picture: PAUL NIXONThe burial of the time capsule Picture: PAUL NIXON (Image: Paul Nixon Photography)

Completed by Barnes Construction a week earlier than scheduled, the new two-storey building - the Wheatfield Block, brought nine new classrooms creating 315 extra primary school places for the area.

A new studio hall and food technology room has also been provided together with improvements to external play areas and a new multi-use games area.

The increased capacity will help to meet the increasing demand for primary school places in the town.

Lisa Finch, headteacher at Stanway Fiveways Primary School said: “The expansion project and opening of the new Wheatfield Block represents an exciting moment for Stanway Fiveways Primary.

“The school community, especially our pupils, have loved watching the building project develop over the last year and to mark the opening, we held a special assembly where the children read poetry, shared their thoughts about school and what it means to them and sung celebratory songs.

“We also shared personal video messages with the children that had been produced especially for them, to celebrate the school expansion project, from both Olly Murs and The GB men’s and women’s hockey teams.”

Councillor Ray Gooding of Essex County Council said: “School projects like this are vital to support areas of increased growth, like we’re seeing in Colchester.

“We are continuing to invest heavily in the expansion of existing schools, as well as the construction of brand-new sites, to meet the demand for school places in the town now and in the future.”