FOUR new classrooms and further facilities at Westbury Junior School were officially opened by the Bishop of Salisbury last week.The Right Reverend Bishop of Salisbury, Nicholas Holtam, made his first visit to Westbury to officially open the “quadrangle” extention on Tuesday 6th March.
Pupils, teachers, governors, builders, architects and key local figures all gathered at the school to celebrate the opening, while visitors were treated to a tour of the new build as well.The new extention replaces two mobile classrooms from the 1960s with four new classrooms attached to the main school block, as well as additional toilet facilties. The extention also has extra office space to allow the school to become the base for the Extended Schools Services for Westbury and Warminster. The extention was funded by the local authority, and the school also had a new entrance which was added last year. Pupils moved into the new build around a month ago and headteacher Richard Hatt says both staff and pupils are delighted with the new facilities. “It’s made a big change,” he said. “We had two old mobiles with no toilets. We designed the rooms with the architect so they are purpose-built and have given us a fantastic space. Now we have the children in comfort and some very happy teachers! The pupils who are in it feel as if they’re a cut above the rest, they’re really enjoying it. Every time a visitor comes round you can see their pride in the building.”The Bishop of Salisbury spoke to pupils before blessing the building and cutting the ribbon. He also cut the cake which was decorated with a photo of the new build, and unveiled a plaque inside the extention to commemorate the opening. He expressed his desire that it would become a “place of safety, learning, and good eduction.”He told pupils, “This building is for you. It’s a real privilege to come and bless this building, where you can learn and grow.”
