THE expansion of a St Albans village primary school as part of a countywide programme to boost places for pupils is to be celebrated next Thursday (July 18) with an official opening ceremony.

St Albans Mayor, Cllr Annie Brewster, will attend the ceremony marking the extension of Sandridge primary school in Woodcock Hill, which will now be able to accommodate up to 60 new pupils.

The new build includes two classrooms, and is part of Herts county council’s £80 million expansion programme to ensure that every child has a school place as close to home as possible, and in suitable accommodation.

Headteacher Cindy Impey said: “We are so pleased with our two new classrooms and additional play area.”

She said current and prospective parents were welcome to attend the opening ceremony which is being held from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday, July 18.

Mrs Impey added: “It’s a big thing for the school as it means we can provide for more children. Sandridge is in a semi-rural setting and the school has a strong community feeling.”

And it is not just the new classrooms causing a buzz at the school. Given its countryside location, in September the school will provide those attending nursery with individual life skills books to help pupils gradually gain independence as they progress through primary school, which is also to complement their “forest skills”, or outside learning.

Pupils recently raised funds for gardening equipment to use while learning about the big outdoors.

The Year 1 youngsters collected £100 worth of old foreign currency, which had been collected in containers and drawers, to help purchase equipment for “countryside” learning.

Mrs Impey said: “This helps them to become familiar with the outside environment and develop skills such as putting up a tent.”