THREE brand new classrooms were unveiled at a school in Hockley.

The “state of the art” classrooms were revealed at Westerings Primary Academy as part of a £1 million school investment project to meet the needs of increasing numbers of pupils in the Hockley area.

The grand ceremony was held on November 30, with Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois declaring the new classrooms open at the ribbon cutting event to an audience of pupils, staff and invited guests.

The County Hall project also includes a new cycle shelter for 40 extra bicycles, a scooter rack and parking spaces to accommodate ten cars, along with classroom furniture and plants.

Westerings is part of Academies Enterprise Trust who managed the project and provided a new play area and two class sets of Chromebooks for the children.

The council employed Borras Construction Ltd and Pick Everard to construct a new building which provides 90 additional places.

The opening ceremony included singing and dancing performances from the children.

Head teacher Elizabeth Atay said: “We are so pleased to have such smart, ‘state of the art’ classrooms. Our children and parents enjoyed helping to plant the new bushes with the contractors and have had an exciting time watching the build in progress with the videos from our stop-motion camera.

“Borras have been great and have joined in school life, teaching the children about safety around building sites and careers in the building industry and even got involved in our Royal Wedding celebrations.

“We are very grateful to all those involved in the project and to Rt. Hon. Mark Francois MP for officially declaring it open.”