A YORK school paid tribute to a former head teacher at the opening of three new classrooms as part of an £800,000 refurbishment project.

Pupils and staff at Robert Wilkinson Primary School in Strensall last night remembered the late Peter Feasby, who died suddenly in June, 2004.

Mr Feasby's father, John, also presented the school with a bench in his son's memory.

Coun Carole Runciman, City of York Council executive member for education, officially opened the new classrooms, which are kitted out with state-of-the-art interactive whiteboards at a cost of £20,000.

Head teacher Richard Ludlow said Mr Feasby started the work with the council to secure funding for the classrooms. They were needed to cope with an increase in the number of pupils at the school, now standing at 550 and would provide high-quality educational facilities.

The new classrooms are part of a second-floor extension built on top of three existing classrooms, which have also been refurbished.

John Hampshire, chairman of the governors, said: "It was a very moving occasion and the end of a rather traumatic year for the school with the tragic loss of Peter Feasby."

Updated: 11:13 Tuesday, July 19, 2005