A Wednesfield school is inviting pupils, teachers and parents past and present to help celebrate the official opening of its new building this week.

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Pupils and teachers at Wood End Primary School moved into their new £2.5 million surroundings for the first time in November 2015 - and are looking forward to showing off their facilities to the community on Wednesday (6 July, 2016).

The original school was built in 1938 but was no longer fit for purpose, with structural issues and damp meaning it could no longer be cost effectively maintained.

The City of Wolverhampton Council submitted a bid for funding to the Government's Priority School Building Programme, and the Education Funding Agency worked with school leaders at Wood End to develop a building specifically tailored to meet the needs of a 1 form entry primary.

Additional funding from the council also enabled the school to develop a community room which will be used for community activities and extended schools to support working families.

The old school has now been demolished and headteacher Dianne J Blower said: "I am proud to be leading this school at such an exciting phase in its life.

"Wood End Primary School has served the community successfully since 1938 and we are looking forward to continuing our journey. Our fantastic new facilities will really help us continue to achieve our mission statement of creating a brighter tomorrow for everyone.

"We would love members of the local community, current pupils' families and friends, and any former pupils to help us mark this momentous occasion, and are particularly looking for our oldest former pupils to take part in the celebration.

"If you know of, or even are, a former pupil that attended Wood End in its early days, please contact the school office on 01902 558940 - we would love to hear from you."

Councillor Claire Darke, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education, said: "The new Wood End Primary is a world away from the former school.

"The old teaching block was connected to the rest of the building by covered walkways which were exposed to the elements, so the children had to brave the elements just to go to the loo. And the classrooms were too small by today's standards, with draughty windows which meant the children were freezing in winter and too hot in summer.

"The new school is bright and airy, and a fantastic facility for pupils and teachers alike."

Wood End Primary School will be open to members of the community on Wednesday (6 July) from 4pm to 6pm.

  • released: Tuesday 5 July, 2016