A SCHOOL is celebrating the opening of a new £1 million hall and nursery – the biggest redevelopment in its history.
Work at Maldon Court Preparatory School started in July 2013 and now boasts new space covering 4,500 square feet split over three floors.
Pupils will have a larger school hall for sports games and equipment, and the facilities will include a new nursery for children aged one to three.
Headteacher Ann Olive said: "It was great to see prospective parents, current parents, teachers and pupils all come together for the opening – and I think everyone was really impressed.
"Now that the improvements are complete, this is a big plus for the people of Maldon.
"We can now welcome children from the ages of one to three into the school family and what is to be a great nursery."
The school, built in 1969, is owned by Loraine and Steven Guest, both 60, who oversaw the renovations.
The Guests have owned the school since 2004 and have seen pupil numbers increase from 96 to 146 in that time.
Pupils entertained dignitaries and visitors at the opening on Saturday September 27 with maypole dancing, country dancing, singing and even an orchestra.
They also presented Maldon mayor, councillor Stephen Nunn, with £320 raised to boost this year's Mayor Charity Fund.
The school on Silver Street, which has 24 staff, now intends to offer new gymnastic classes and dance clubs in their new school hall.
"We now have the opportunity to offer a wider range of activities," added Mrs Olive.
"And the school hall is loved by all the children – the acoustics are something to be heard."
Mrs Olive said that the facilities form part of a number of improvements seen at the school which has 'come a long way' since she joined 12 years ago.
She added: "It's a totally different school. Since the Guests took over, Maldon Court has had an amazing transformation.
"The new developments have been paid for by the school for us all to enjoy for years to come."
While the building work was ongoing, pupils met regularly with the site foreman, who gave them progress reports so they could then write articles and take photographs for a weekly newsletter.
The extensive new build also incorporates a new entrance to the head teacher's office, a new school office and increases the size of the main assembly hall to 1,500 square feet.
In May, the school was awarded 'excellent' by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, the highest rating.
