Pupils at one of Welwyn Hatfield’s most popular secondary schools have moved into a new multi-million pound main building, which will be formally unveiled on Friday with suitable fanfare.
Young students of Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School moved into their new home, constructed slightly to the north of the now empty 1950s building in Woods Avenue, on Tuesday, February 21.
Work started in March 2015, after the single-sex academy was favoured by the Department for Education’s Priority School Building Programme the year before.
School development officer Isabelle Fautrero-Sayer told the Welwyn Hatfield Times: “It now boasts modern science labs and IT rooms, a four-court sports hall and dance/fitness studio, music rooms, a drama studio, a large hall with retractable seating and an amazing dining area with a Sixth Form café-style area.
“Although the new building came with all fixtures and fittings, the pupils, their parents, staff, alumni and old girls’ associations, governors and local community have fund-raised tirelessly.
“They are still working hard to supplement the school with new furniture, classroom technology, sports equipment and classroom resources to match the standards of the new facilities.”
From 4.30pm on Friday, ticket-holding visitors will be shown round, with live music and even a fireworks display to ensure the school’s new era starts with a literal bang.
Isabelle said staff and several pupils had worked hard over the half-term moving equipment.
She said: “There was one crate that turned up in the wrong place, but it went quite smooth.
“Some of the IT team had been involved with a move before. They said this [the Hatfield operation] was the best-organised they had done.”
The old building will be progressively demolished, eventually making room for a car park and outdoor tennis courts.
All tickets have long been allocated for the Friday opening, which has proved popular with local residents, parents, and past pupils alike.
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