The extension provides a much improved reception/office area, a staff workroom and a larger staffroom. It gives us more flexibility with an additional room when we need to hold meetings. We also have a covered waiting area outside the office and a Pram Park for Nursery parents. The whole area and medical room has been redecorated and has new flooring.

Watfords of Wombwell built our extension. The architects were Houghton and Budd.

DIARY OF WORK ON THE EXTENSION:

22nd April 2008: We hit a seam of coal when we started digging the foundations and had to go deeper and remove this before we could begin. The builders have now laid down a concrete base and have begun to build a wooden frame. The children in Red Base are doing a 'building' topic and eagerly watch the progress of the work and copy what is happening in their play area.

25th April 2008: The crane came today and the metal frame was put in place. The children enjoyed watching 'lofty' lift the heavy metal work. Bob the builder has a very high profile in the Foundation Stage classrooms!

12th May: The wooden Frame of the building is growing rapidly. The windows arrived today and work quickly began to remove the old windows. The builders have provided the Foundation Stage children with work bibs and posters. they are becoming part of the school family!

22nd May: The front of the building now has larch cladding over most of it. The doors and full length windows are in place. From the sound of all the banging, drilling and sawing the inside of the building seems to be coming along well too.

16th June: Everything is running to plan and we hope that the main building work will be completed by 4th July. We have chosen the colour scheme for the internal work. There will be a blue/green theme. I can't wait to get into my new office and all the staff are delighted to have a work area for their planning and preparation.

9th September: The building was completed justr before the summer holidays and during the summer we were able to move back into it. What a relief! It is great to have a nice sheltered area outside and a much better reception area for visitors and staff alike. My favourite part is my lovely new office, and a bit of peace and quiet once again. (Helen Stokes, Headteacher)