PUPILS at one of the largest primary schools in Suffolk are today enjoying lots more space after a new extension was opened.The new buildings at Britannia Primary School in Britannia Road, Ipswich, which includes two new classrooms, a refurbished information, communications and technology suite, new offices and a disabled toilet, were officially opened this week.

PUPILS at one of the largest primary schools in Suffolk are today enjoying lots more space after a new extension was opened.

The new buildings at Britannia Primary School in Britannia Road, Ipswich, which includes two new classrooms, a refurbished information, communications and technology suite, new offices and a disabled toilet, were officially opened this week.

Work on the £500,000 project, which was jointly funded by the school and the local authority, began in August 2007. In September last year it suffered a minor setback when a water heater blew up, causing a small fire.

Although the school closed for the day, building work soon got back on track, and now pupils are reaping the benefits of the extension.

Headteacher Karen Heath said: “We are one of the largest schools in Suffolk and had inadequate space. We have 650 pupils now.

“We completed the project within 12 months. There was a bit of a delay due to weather. There was also a very small fire while the building work was going on.

“We managed to run the school effectively during the construction but it meant the school was divided into two so you had to walk across the playground to get to other buildings.

“I'm very pleased with the result but so are the children and that is the main thing. At the end of the day, it's about the children. The new ICT suite means the children can have a computer each.

“They said it is really cool to have a computer each as they don't have to wait for their turn.”

The School Council organised a grand opening on Monday, in which Mrs Heath, the premise supervisor John Monk, and the builders were thanked for their work.

Is your school having a new refurbishment? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.