Work begins on new facilities for primary school (From Watford Observer)
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Work begins on new facilities for Shepherd Primary School in Rickmansworth
3:00pm Monday 18th February 2013 in News
By Ben Endley, Senior reporter
(Left to right) Cllr Frances Button, Mrs Claire Foad (Headteacher) and pupils Michael Warren and Chloe Manger.
Pupils and staff at a Rickmansworth primary school helped break the ground as the construction of new teaching facilities got underway last week.
Builders started work on a new classroom block at Shepherd Primary School in Shepherd’s Lane, Rickmansworth, which is expected to open from September and enable the school to offer an additional 30 places.
Councillor Frances Button, Hertfordshire County Council cabinet member for education and skills, visited the school on Tuesday to witness the ceremony.
Councillor Button said: "This is an exciting day for staff and pupils at Shepherd School and we’re all very much looking forward to seeing the finished block which will be in keeping with the character of the existing building.
"The county council has worked closely with the local community which has been very supportive of the expansion.
"We owe thanks to Mill End Sports and Social Club and Three Rivers District Council’s William Penn Leisure Centre for their help in setting up park and stride facilities, which will be most useful to parents.
"Hertfordshire is a popular place to raise a family and we have seen an increase in both the birth rate and the number of new children moving into the county.
"We have worked hard to ensure there are enough places available for children as near as possible to their homes."
The construction of a new classroom block at Shepherd Primary School got started this week with pupils joining the "ground-breaking" ceremony.
The school will offer an additional 30 places from September 2013 when it’s new eight classroom block and link corridor is due to open.
Hard hats and shovels were the uniform and equipment required on Tuesday to mark the start of the new construction project.
Headteacher Claire Foad added: "The school expansion is an exciting development for the staff, children and families at Shepherd Primary School and will make a great difference to the local community.
"We are looking forward to welcoming our first additional intake of children in September 2013."
The expansion at Shepherd Primary School was approved following public consultation last year.
