PARENTS and local residents have been given the first look inside a new £9m building at a Mickleover school after the Mayor of Derby officially opened it.
Pupils gave tours around Maple Park Centre so that visitors could see the large reception area, 15 classrooms and the brand-new library at Murray Park School, in Murray Road.
Mayor of Derby, Councillor Frank Harwood, opened the building during the school’s Christmas fair and told visitors that it was “a wonderful facility”.
He said: “I am told that this building has transformed the English and Maths departments and will allow Murray Park School to continue to provide an excellent quality of education for years to come.
“This school has done very, very well this year and has improved standards across the board and my wife Anita and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour from pupils, who I must say all looked extremely smart.”
The new building means the school reception area is at the front of the building, which is better for safeguarding, and the work means there is now a separate entrance to The Bridge – a building where children with additional needs such as anxiety, or behavioural or learning difficulties, can be taught in smaller groups.
READ MORE: Murray Park pupils get first glimpse of £9m state-of-the-art school building
An old caretaker’s cottage was demolished as part of the works, as well as an old chimney and a portable building. The two-storey building has water fountains on both floors, smart teaching televisions in every classroom, brand new furniture throughout, open plan toilets and inspirational quotes written by the heads of maths and English painted onto the walls.
The expansion project will allow the school to increase pupil capacity from 1,100 to 1,650 across years seven to 11, with an annual admission of 330 pupils every year. The higher admission numbers will move through the school gradually year by year.
Head teacher Nicola Caley said: “Maple Park Centre opened to pupils in September, but this has been the first opportunity for parents, grandparents and carers to take a look around and everyone is extremely impressed.
“It is a really professional learning environment and feels less like a school and more like a modern work-place, preparing students for university and future employment.”
ENDS
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