London Leopards basketball hero Brian Moore was on hand to officially open a new £40,000 building at a Laindon school.
From September, the block will be the home of learning mentors who will work with pupils having difficulties fitting in at James Hornsby High School.
The school is the first in Essex to adopt a learning mentor scheme. The aim is to break down barriers children may have by taking them out of class to spend time with mentors - individuals with real life experience but without professional teacher training.
The scheme has been a success in various inner city schools throughout the country.
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