Last-minute push to finish new building at Oswestry school

Youngsters at St Martins School, near Oswestry, will be able to attend classes as planned – despite work running over by a month.

New facilities have been built over the summer to bring the school's primary department on to the same site as its secondary classes.

There had been some concern that the building wouldn't be finished in time for the new term after running over its initial timetable by a month.

But headteacher Sue Lovecy said the contractors had put in the work so the new buildings could be opened to pupils today.

"Anyone driving past last week or over the weekend probably would have thought it wasn't finished," she said.

"But the outside of school has been finished now. You wouldn't believe what the builders have done over the weekend.

"They put in a mini-roundabout outside the school and finished everything off.

"Everything's all ready now – we had to be ready – and we're looking forward to the new term."

Building started in June last year with work taking place in three phases.

The first two phases saw a new car park, toilets and refurbishments of the English, maths and languages departments completed.

Phase three – a new reception area for parents and visitors and a new all through school learning resource centre or "hub" – was completed in February and since then contractors have been working on putting the finishing touches to the school.

Ms Lovecy said during the summer holidays pupils were given the chance to see how the work was progressing.

"We had an open day for parents and children and we had about 300 come in," she said.

"At that point there were still a few things left to do, but they all seemed very impressed with what was being done."