A MALVERN primary school is preparing to welcome its youngest pupils through the doors of a freshly renovated classroom, thanks to a local developer.

With funding from Sanctuary Housing, Northleigh CE Primary School has been able to extend its facilities in its Early Years learning department.

The school is within the catchment area of Sanctuary’s development of 33 new homes at Coppice View, Broadlands Drive.

Sanctuary provided the funding through its MORE! programme, which supports community projects that benefit local people in areas where it is developing new homes.

The works, which were carried out by Sanctuary’s contractor Taylor French Developments, involved knocking through a dividing wall to create a large pre-school room, kitchenette and store cupboard.

Colleen Eccles, Sanctuary’s head of place shaping, said: “It’s wonderful to be able to support local families who have children entering education for the first time.

“We hope that the children will thrive within their vibrant new classroom.”

Headteacher Sarah Green added: “Our huge thanks go to Sanctuary for supporting us in extending and developing our Early Years provision at Northleigh CE Primary.

"It looks fantastic and the teachers are busy setting out the new space for the start of the school year.

“The facilities and refit form part of our overarching plans to further elevate our already exceptional Early Years provision and will enable us to deliver our school's crucial characteristics - Be Brave; Be Strong; Be Fearless - to our youngest pupils.”