While all was quiet at a St Albans school during the summer holidays, work has begun on the next phase of its development.

Sandringham School on The Ridgeway in Marshalswick is expanding as part of a programme of improvements to the campus and to accommodate more children on roll at the request of the county council.

From next September, the school will work under new admission rules which will increase the number of children admitted to 210 per year, including up to 25 reserved for youngsters from the parish of Wheathampstead.

Before work began, a ceremony was held to mark the occasion.

Jessica Forsythe in Year 8 cut the first turf, together with headteacher Alan Gray, and other members of the school, representatives from Property Tectonics who are overseeing the development and also Newlands Construction, one of the key contractors on site.

The development includes a new 15 classroom block for mathematics, science and computing science, an extension to the dining facilities, new offices and library space, expansion of the school hall and a new music room.

Car parking will also be increased together with new cycle storage.

Mr Gray said the current work was the third phase of the school’s planned development of the site, following the expansion of the sixth form accommodation in 2012 and the opening of the new sports complex in 2014.

He added: “The work will make another significant difference to the quality of the learning environment for current and new students and ensure that the school offers the highest quality education possible for local people.”

The work will be completed by next July, in time for the increased admissions.