YOUNGSTERS heralded in a new era in the history of their school as part of the official opening of a new �2 million extension and frontage.

Students and staff from Gidea Park Primary School in Lodge Avenue, Gidea Park celebrated the official opening of the new school buildings last month.

Headteacher, Sue Hartnett said: “We are just delighted with the it, everything has turned out really and it was well worth the wait.

“The children’s reaction when they saw the building for the first time was just wow.”

The ceremony saw the ribbon cut by student Rebecca Hogan after she won a competition to be head for the day.

She also joined forces with Mrs Hartnett to cut a celebration cake baked for the occasion by one of the school’s parents, Agneetha Mills, a finalist on BBC2’s Great British Bake Off.

The children also released balloons in the school playground to mark the occasion.

Mrs Hartnett said: “The opening of this new extension just shows how much the school has changed because it has always been a popular school that has been oversubscribed but now it means that we will finally be able to cater for more children”.

She added: “I think the fact that it is such a bright learning space is very stimulating for the kids to work in.

“We have got white boards and visuals and lots of new ICT facilities which has had an impact on the rest of the school and it has increased our provision.”

Work on drawing up the plans for the new school buildings started about two years ago with the help of the students and the teachers before building work started in March 2009.

The school now boasts a new staff room, classrooms, a new outdoor space and lots of new ICT facilities.

Mrs Hartnett said: “Its made a huge difference to the staff and the kids because it means that they are more willing to learn.”