Herringthorpe's new multi-million pound school opened

PUPILS have been brought together under one roof thanks to a new multi-million school building which was officially opened this week.

Youngsters from Herringthorpe Junior and Infant schools were joined by The Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Shaukat Ali on Monday, for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The event marked the start of life in the £6.5 million building which houses both schools.

Cllr Ali said: "These new buildings certainly provide a striking contrast to the old fashioned buildings and will provide first class education in a first class school.

"Our thanks must go to all those involved in the design and building of the new school as well as the staff, pupils and governors who made sure that the construction work didn't have a negative impact on the quality of learning in Herringthorpe."

The new building has replaced the junior school, which dated back to 1934, and the infant school buildings which were made by a company that specialised in aircraft hangers.

The new set up includes an outdoor stage area to support both schools' drama work, a new sports hall, energy efficiency measures and a biomass wood chip heating system, as well as modern classrooms and staff facilities.

Children from the school were involved in the design stage of the project and worked with artists to create items for the building itself.

The school was designed by the borough council's Asset Management Service and constructed by Mansell.

The project is part of the national Primary Capital Programme pilot scheme and Rotherham is one of only three areas in Yorkshire and Humberside that was selected to take part.

Rotherham MP Denis MacShane, who was also at the opening, said that he welcomed the investment into the future of Rotherham's next generation.

He said: "I remember visiting Herrringthorpe School when I was elected MP for Rotherham and being shocked at the rotting windows and holes in the roof after years of neglect by a Tory government.

"Today, as with so many schools in Rotherham, we have a modern up-to-date school which will do Rotherham children proud.

"When the London right-wing ideologues say that all public spending should be slashed they should visit Herringthorpe and see what a difference public investment can make. "This helps Rotherham firms and workers who would be left without a future if public investment was savagely cut back as some argue."