A local school is now the happy recipient of four new classrooms thanks to support from parents and the council.

St Helen’s School in Wheathampstead had the new classrooms built to accommodate the high demand for school places in the area.

The new building was officially opened by the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Rev Alan Smith, after a prayer of dedication.

The ribbon was cut by the Bishop in a ceremony attended by governors, council staff, parents and pupils.

The Bishop conducted a special assembly beforehand and offered a prayer of dedication for the new building, which has been kitted out with lots of modern technology.

Head teacher, Jamie Brown, said: “The local authority recognised we had to grow as a school alongside the growing community.

“This September we started to have a two form entry per year, meaning that Year 6 had to work in the library.

“The new classrooms are completely green, with solar panels and sensor lights.

“Having these new classrooms means we’re going to be able to increase the capacity of our school in the future.”