GREENFIELDS Junior School is looking forward to the future as its new development draws to a close.

The 13-month building project which adds a new wing to the school will be officially opened in March, however, as the final touches are made to the building, classes have already begun to take place much to the pupils’ and teachers’ delight.

Headteacher Emma Stacey told The Herald about their exciting new dawn. “There are currently two forms of 60 kids and the new building will enable that to move to three forms of 90 kids, something which will be a gradual process.

“The site has grown and the new wing includes four new classrooms, new admin and library space and a nurture room to help children with social and emotional needs.”

The Hampshire County Council funded build got under way just a matter of weeks after Mrs Stacey started in her role, and in the 14 months since she started, the school has gone from strength to strength.

“We feel the new building projects the feel of the school and where we want to be. It is forward thinking and reflects the journey we are on. We want to bring the rest of the school to the standard of the new-build in the future.”

“It fulfils our ‘pride’ values, with each letter something we strive to achieve, perseverance, respect, independence, determination and enthusiasm.”

The hard work and forward thinking shown by the school over a hectic two years has resulted in national recognition, with an appearance in The Sunday Times’ Top 250, with the Hartley Wintney School placing at number 186 based on their key stage two (KS2) Sats results.

Mrs Stacey added: “It’s fantastic, we are working hard to raise attainment levels and we welcome children from all starting points, no matter the level they are at.”

With the £3million development almost completed a handful of classes have been held in the new building to great success and despite it being dubbed as “like building a plane when it is flying”, the feedback from students, teachers, parents and MPs alike has been extremely positive.

“The students absolutely love it, they love having that space as well as extra space outside to learn, and it makes a difference from old classrooms which were somewhat compact.

“Parents have also given us fantastic feedback and the teachers love their new environment, open, well-lit classrooms with new technology to teach with.”

MP Ranil Jayawardena recently visited the new development and held a Q&A session with pupils where he fielded a number of questions of both a local and international nature.

“It was great to visit Greenfields Junior School recently to speak to the school council about politics, democracy and the UK Parliament.

“Whenever I visit schools, I am taken aback at the diverse range of questions that I am asked - from Donald Trump, to roads and potholes. I find that children often ask the most direct and frank questions and it’s great to see young people getting involved in their local area.

“I am looking forward to welcoming the school council to the UK House of Commons in 2017 for a tour.”

Mrs Stacey added: “These are exciting times at Greenfields, we are raising our profile and this development can be a springboard. It is about us now being confident in how good we are. Forward thinking is at the forefront of what we’re doing.”