Horwich Parish CE School staff and children are celebrating the opening of a new state-of-the art extension to their Key Stage 1 building.
The project which has cost over £600,000 was funded mainly through the Locally Controlled building programme for Voluntary Aided Schools, which brings together the Diocese of Manchester and Bolton Council.
As a Voluntary Aided School, Horwich Parish have had to find 10 per cent of the cost, and this has been done through grants from the Diocese, from Holy Trinity Parochial Church Council, and from businesses and individuals, including parents of children at the school.
The extension has provided double the space for the Year 1 classrooms, and improved the accommodation for Reception and Year 2, with a fantastic new decked area and outdoor space for the Reception children to use. There has also been a new heating boiler and improvements to the facilities for the building.
Guests visiting the school for the official opening included Rt Revd Mark Davies, Bishop of Middleton, the Chair of the Diocesan Board of Education. The Bishop had the job of cutting the ribbon and declaring the new extension open. The school also welcomed Canon Maurice Smith CB, Diocesan Director of Education, as well as other representatives from the Diocese and Bolton Council, the local church, PTA and other parents.
Parent governor Amanda Procter said: "The opening ceremony was a very joyful experience. The children are such a credit to the hard work that makes Horwich Parish a lovely learning environment."
Headteacher Alan Beedie said: "It has been a marvellous opportunity to invite the many people and organisations who helped our building project to become a reality, and to thank them for the part they have played. The new extension will make a huge difference to the learning opportunities for our children for years to come."