Councillors, partners, pupils and teachers gathered to celebrate the official opening of the new, single-storey extension at Chuter Ede Primary School’s Fernwood site, near Newark.

An additional 210 primary school places have been created, doubling the number of places.

The upgrade comes as part an overall £9.4m investment, made up of £5.4m from Nottinghamshire County Council’s school places programme, with housing developer contributions worth £4m.

Pupils are now benefitting from eight new classrooms, a library and music room, an activity hall, a medical room, a football pitch, and new outdoor equipment.

Coun James Walker-Gurley, cabinet member for Economic Development and Asset Management at the council, who attended the celebration event, said: “Investing in our future generations is essential as young people deserve to learn in well-equipped and modern buildings to help their education.

“It’s fantastic that this project has doubled the amount of school places to help address growing demand in the area, so it’s a real boost for this community.”

Headteacher Bernadette Hunter added: “This extension represents far more than additional classrooms; it is an investment in our children and their future.

“Having eight new, high-quality learning spaces will allow us to provide the best possible environment for teaching and learning, supporting both our current pupils and those who will join us in the years ahead.

“It is wonderful to see our growing school benefit from facilities that match the ambition, talent and potential of our children. We are proud of what this development means for our community and excited about the opportunities it will bring for generations of pupils to come.”

The work has been designed, project and cost-managed by Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE, and delivered through its construction partner Morgan Sindall.

The project is also provided students at Nottingham Trent University with valuable opportunities to develop their skills in architecture, technology, project management, and quantity surveying.

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