IT HAS taken 11 months and £300,000 but Claydon Primary School has its sights set on the future today after the completion of a major refurbishment project.

IT HAS taken 11 months and £300,000 but Claydon Primary School has its sights set on the future today after the completion of a major refurbishment project.

The school has said goodbye to its old library and unsuitable classrooms and is now benefiting from new, purpose-built facilities.

The Evening Star revealed in April last year that Suffolk County Council had given the go-ahead to the school's ambitious plans and today they have come to fruition.

Two of the school's used to double up as corridors but they have now been replaced with rooms where pupils and teachers can enjoy peace and quiet.

And a new library has been built which is hoped to become the school's learning centre.

Jane Brown, headteacher, said: “The library is a real gem. We've got three new computers and are making it a learning centre. We want it to become a big part of the learning experience.

“We are changing the school's timetables so everyone has scheduled time in the library to work, as well as the usual opportunities to go and change books.

“Each year we invest around £2,000 in books so we've always thought of it as an important part of the school. But now it's in a wonderful new room with new furniture and we are delighted with it. Everyone wants to work in it.”

A patio has been built next to the library and the school now plans to turn the area into a multi-sensory environment garden.

The building project has been funded by both the school and Suffolk County Council.

Around £8,000 of new chairs, tables, carpets and book boxes for the library were bought by the Home School Association, the school's parent and teacher association.

See Tuesday's Star Weekly supplement to read about Claydon Primary School's latest community fundraising effort.

Is your school celebrating? Call the Evening Star news team on 01473 324788 or send an e-mail to starnews@eveningstar.co.uk