DILAPIDATED temporary classrooms built in 1948 and expected to last less than 20 years are finally a thing of the past with the opening of a new state-of-the-art classroom block at Waverley Abbey CofE Junior School.

Deputy Lieutenant Diana Prain, a former long standing governor at the academy school, officially opened the new year six block watched by pupils, staff and representatives of the Diocese of Guildford’s education team and its multi-academy trust, the Good Shepherd Trust, on Friday, October 6.

The new block, which includes four classrooms, a group room and a toilet block welcomed its first children at the beginning of term and features the latest technology with new whiteboards and teaching walls as well as computers throughout the building.

The school, which left local authority control and joined the diocesan multi-academy trust, The Good Shepherd Trust in December 2016, worked closely with the diocese’s buildings team to secure a Government grant for the major redevelopment which cost in excess of £1 million.

New playgrounds and carparks were also constructed to replace the area lost to the new block with work first beginning almost a year ago.

Headteacher Kate Redman said: “Waverley Abbey is extremely excited to be opening its new Year 6 block. It has been a huge project involving not only the diocese but also project management team WYG and of course, our builders, Woodland Commercial.

“The builders were very mindful of the potential impact on school life and scheduled the most disruptive work for school holiday periods. Pupils and families did have to bear with us though as we temporarily lost sections of the playground and at certain points children were working in the ICT Suite and dining room!

“It’s all worth it now though and we would like to thank everyone involved – including our PTA, Friends of Waverley Abbey who contributed towards the teaching walls, lockers and sink units and enabled us to finish off the classrooms to an extremely high standard.

“Pupils and staff are already settled into their new classrooms and thoroughly enjoying the vastly improved facilities. The old Horsa classrooms served generations of pupils but it’s safe to say we are delighted to have moved into the 21st century!”

Diocesan director of education Alex Tear said: “We are delighted to see the opening of this high quality learning environment for the children and staff at Waverley Abbey CofE Junior School.

“This project is an excellent example of our ambition to provide modern, 21st Century educational facilities in our Church schools and underlines our wider commitment to Church school education in the Farnham area and across our diocese.”