WHINFIELD PRIMARY School is now using the three new classrooms built to replace the portakabins, originally put up in 2001.

Their official opening will be in November, the exact date is yet to be decided.

Head teacher Mrs. Sheila Williams said: “ We also have a new kitchen and the school is electrically re-wired. “The refurbishment is absolutely super and both staff and pupils are delighted with the outcome.

“There are 90-year six children making good use of these new classrooms. This is a large school, and we have 630 pupils here.

“The children feel that there is a lovely atmosphere in the new areas and throughout the whole school.

“Also we have a new entrance, this is without steps, and may be used in addition to the existing entrance.“ The new entrance looks out onto the side of ASDA and car park.

Previous concerns have been expressed about the use of the ASDA staff smoking shelter, and the example this sets.

Mrs. Williams said: “Compared with the old portakabins, the classrooms are very grown up, light and airy, modern and very special.

“They provide a quiet working area conducive for our teachers and the pupils, who enjoy their learning environment.”

Darlington Borough Council’s Programme of Works 2009 /2010 on their website identify issues that need to be addressed at the school.

These include that the kitchen and dining areas should be refurbished and possibly remodeled to make them more fit for purpose.

This is the rationale for the new kitchen at the school.

It is recognized that the two outdated temporary classroom units require replacement. This had now been done, successfully.

Allocated funds to enable this process are £736,203 but this excludes something called the Devolved Formula Contribution.

Here the development of the classrooms is a capital asset, and as such attracts additional funds of £163,797.

This capital grant is given to school Governors as a lump sum as part of the schools annual financial settlement, and calculated on the basis of the number of pupils on role.

The grant can be drawn on for up to three years in advance but must be used by this time; otherwise it can be clawed back for other projects.

Some outside groundwork is still to be completed but is on target.