PAST pupils and parents cut the ribbon on a multi-million pound project which is a school’s most ambitious yet.
After 18 months of construction, Littlegarth independent school and nursery was finally able to unveil its new two-storey building which has been years in the making.
Scores of guests including VIPs the Rev Christopher Woods, one of the school’s first pupils in 1940, and Robert Erith, president of the Dedham Vale Society.
Mr Erith’s auntie Barbara founded Littlegarth with cousin Betty Mallett.
Reverend Christopher Woods, headteacher Peter Jones and Robert Erith
The school moved from Dedham to Horkesley Park in 1994.
Littlegarth headmaster Peter Jones said the facilities now matched the school’s aspirations to be the best it can be.
He said: “This has been for us, budget-wise, the biggest project the school has ever had but it has just revolutionised what we can do.
“We’re making sure our facilities for academic work, creative and performing arts match the work which has gone into sports here ten or so years ago when we built the sports hall.”
The new teaching block will house a 150 sq metre library, six classrooms for pupils in Reception, Year 5 and 6, two large art rooms, a music room, drama studio and learning support space.
Mr Jones said the development was “enormous but necessary” for the school’s 330 pupils.
He said the school had always had the physical space to expand ambitions to carry out the development had now been fulfilled.
Appearance-wise it is cedar-clad and complements the Georgian house the rest of the school is run out of on the 28-acre site.
Mr Jones said: “I think the guests will be impressed. It’s a far cry from what the school used to be. This has allowed us to develop the school in a way they couldn’t before.”
One of the first pupils Robert Erith
He added: “We want to provide the best broad educational experience we can for children up to 11, and make sure the children achieve their potential in their academic work.
“But it’s all those things which surround the classroom that help to make education such an adventure for children of this age.
“We’re now in the position to really get the best out of the children across a range of activities.”
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