Multi-million pound Bilston school expansion blessed by Bishop of Lichfield

Hundreds of youngsters gathered to welcome Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave, to their Wolverhampton school.

The special visit to Bilston C of E Primary School on Friday came 12 months after its £5.6m renovation was completed.

Head teacher Gary Gentle said the finished six-year expansion was 'fantastic', adding: "It's been a very busy six years but a very joyful one.

"It's been very exciting to see how the buildings have changed and grown. It's meant many positive things for our school community.

"We are a Church of England school so it's an important part of our ethos that the blessing and dedication is made by the Bishop.

"It's very unusual to get the man himself - it was an honour. All our children really relished him coming and enjoyed what he had to say to them."

Bishop Michael joined the 400-strong group of children and their teachers to bless and dedicate the school's expansion - funded by Wolverhampton council.

Work to increase the school's capacity began in 2010, with the growth allowing pupil numbers to rise from 136 to 400.

Children and staff are able to enjoy eight new classrooms and a bigger school hall, as well as a new kitchen and larger playground space.

It means learning across the school is improving, with better quality teaching in larger classrooms and more resources, Mr Gentle said.

Mr Gentle, who has been at the helm of the school since 2008, added: "The children love the new buildings. They have increased space and lovely new areas to learn.

"The parents are really pleased with it. We were in a building that was not fit for purpose, it is now fit for purpose. It's brought up to what a 21st century school should be all about.

"I feel we have been very lucky. There's many schools out there that would have wanted the amount of investment that we have had.

"We are making a big difference to children's education in this part of Bilston."