After embarking upon one of its biggest building projects since the 1960s, a St Albans secondary school has officially opened the doors of its redeveloped campus.

St Columba’s College, King Harry Lane, began its £3.5 million construction in July last year, with the hall given a facelift and the school’s central core altered to provide extra space for staff and pupils.

St Albans Mayor Cllr Annie Brewster attended celebrations to officially open the new building.

A spokeswoman for St Columba’s said the reception area had been reconfigured and extended during the construction. Science laboratories were also completely refurbished to provide state-of-the-art facilities.

The redevelopment has provided the school with a modern set of classrooms, offices and purpose-built weights and conditioning room.

The spokeswoman said the building project was complex, both technically and logistically, as it involved working around a 50-year-old structure.

And the redevelopment has won praise from staff and pupils with Brother Denis, registrar, commenting, “They have created a bigger building out of very little space.”

Upper sixth student James Delord added: “It makes the school look more modern. Lots of pupils can’t wait to use the weights room.”

The opening ceremony was also attended by the MP for Bournemouth West Conor Burns, a former pupil of St Columba’s, as well as Brother Jose Ignacio Carmona and Brother Robert Croteau, of the New England Province, both from Brothers of the Sacred Heart.