Staff, parents and children at a Sandy primary school were joined by special guests as they celebrated the opening of their new pre-school.
Maple Tree School in Hawk Drive opened the new purpose-built pre-school for those aged from two to four on November 14.
Central Bedfordshire Council chairman Fiona Chapman and Sandy mayor Michael Scott joined in the celebrations and helped plant a maple tree along with two Year 5 pupils, who said: “It will remind us all to climb the branches of success.”
The new pre-school is part of Maple Tree’s conversion from a lower school to primary – with its doors opened to Year 5 students at the start of this academic year – which is expected to be completed next September.
Among those in attendance was former pupil George Smith, who cut the ribbon to officially open the new facility.
Since leaving the school 10 years ago, he has forged a successful career as part of band New Hope Club.
The pop trio formed in 2015, with their hit Medicine streamed more than two million times on Spotify.
About the unveiling, George said: “It was a great honour and a pleasure to be asked back to Maple Tree to open their new facilities.
“It brought back great memories and it was lovely to meet a few of my old teachers and interact with the current pupils about my journey into the music industry and touring the world with New Hope Club.”
Maple Tree headteacher Cath Bainbridge was delighted to welcome George back to the school, adding: “It was an honour and a privilege to see how a Maple Tree pupil has gone on to do so very well.
“We are always proud to celebrate the things the children have achieved and hope that they continue to strive to fulfil their aspirations.”
Early years leader Debbie Pigott said: “It’s always good to encourage the children to take part in new things and we like to create an exciting, fun experience inside and outside as this stimulates the children to explore, design, learn and create while making friends and playing.”
For more information about the school, which was rated as ‘good’ at its last Ofsted inspection in February, visit mapletreelowerschool.com.
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