Staff, pupils and members of the community celebrated the official opening of a new building dedicated to helping families. The �75,000 building, opened last Thursday at Purwell Primary School in Hitchin, will provide room for after school clubs as well

Staff, pupils and members of the community celebrated the official opening of a new building dedicated to helping families.

The �75,000 building, opened last Thursday at Purwell Primary School in Hitchin, will provide room for after school clubs as well as family learning and study support and a toy library.

Two family support workers will also be available two days a week and it will be used by childcare practitioners and community groups.

Headteacher Richard Cano said: "There's a growing need for schools to get actively involved with the communities they serve.

"Gone are the days when schools were only responsible for their pupils' education from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. Schools are now in a unique position to offer much, much more.

"In Purwell we don't have any facilities close by that are easily accessed by families and parents here. So this building will be a focal point for them and a venue for multi-agency support. It's a very exciting project."

Herts County Council lead member for children's services, Jane Pitman, who was at the opening, said these kinds of projects were proving a great success and the team had come up with a building designed to meet the needs of pupils, parents and residents.

The whole Purwell community will be able to see the building for themselves and get information on services on Saturday, July 4 when a children's entertainer will welcome visitors to the venue.