A NEW extension and spiritual garden has been opened and blessed at a school by the Archbishop of York.
Doctor John Sentamu blessed the garden at St Barnabas CE Primary School earlier this month, a decade after he opened the original building.
The new extension means the school can increase its pupil capacity from 120 to 180 places, and the work was carried out over the summer by the Sewell Group, who built the original building.
Headteacher Karen Boardman said: "We are delighted the Archbishop is coming back to bless our new extension at St Barnabas, 10 years after he opened this building.
"Our new facilities have already made a great difference to this community and we have additional classroom space, which is fantastic. We can now serve siblings and families moving to the area and we are delighted with the improved provision made to supply universal free school meals for our pupils."
The Archbishop with staff and pupils at the opening
The Archbishop said: "St Barnabas is known as someone who encourages others to achieve and this is at the heart of this school’s ethos. I wish them every blessing in the brilliant work they are doing with children and their families in this community. It is fantastic to see that work expanding through this new extension. Let’s dream some dreams together about what is possible with God in the next 10 years."
Cllr Jenny Brooks, executive member for education, children and young people, said: "I’m delighted to see this project completed. We will continue to support St Barnabas CE School to ensure its pupils get the very best education and learning experience."
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