STUDENTS at a Harpenden school are always being urged to aim higher but even they would be hard-pressed to reach the heights of a new door. For the door leads from the first floor landing at the new languages centre at St George s School in Sun Lane – a

STUDENTS at a Harpenden school are always being urged to aim higher but even they would be hard-pressed to reach the heights of a new door.

For the door leads from the first floor landing at the new languages centre at St George's School in Sun Lane - and opens into thin air in the adjacent Assembly Hall.

It has proved a big talking point among students and staff at the school which opened the new languages centre for lessons last week.

A year in construction, it has 89 classrooms as well as offices and study facilities for pupils and staff.

But it is the mystery door which perplexed students at the start of the new term - even though there is a simple explanation.

Assuming successful further fundraising, it will be the main entrance to a projection and lighting box raised above the seating level of the 300-capacity assembly hall.

Head teacher Norman Hoare said: "It really has been highly amusing to hear the different suggestions from students and staff who have been into the wonderful new hall.

"You can imagine how I have been ribbed abut this and I think the best original comment came from our director of boarding Mr Gibbs who said it was the new 'Aim Higher' door - the original late Victorian one is at the front of the school and has the school motto 'Aim Higher' carved above it."

He added: "Perhaps this unusual feature may spur on visitors' interest to help us fund the projection and lighting gallery in time for the first autumn term production at the end of November.