DAME Alison Peacock opened the new classroom block at Hartford Manor Primary School and Nursery.

The British educator and Mark Parkinson, director of education for Cheshire West and Chester Council, cut the ribbon together at the end of a celebratory assembly.

The project was a pioneering school-led development in partnership with the local authority, bringing eight stylish, roomy and practical classrooms and other teaching spaces for all the children in Years 3 to 6.

Simon Kidwell, Hartford Manor Primary School headteacher, said: “I am very proud of what we have achieved at Hartford Manor – we have a school to be proud of.

“We have excellent teachers, hardworking and well-behaved pupils, supportive parents, and now a school built for twenty first century teaching and learning.”

Other guests included four past pupils, all now in Year 11, who had been involved in researching and presenting the case for the new building when they had been pupils in Years 5 and 6 at Hartford Manor.

Mr Parkinson remarked that they had been a key factor in the decision to develop the school.

The assembly brought together the project manager, Bill Briggs and the building’s designer, Andy Barber, together with former teachers including the previous headteacher, Hannah Madeley, councillors from Cheshire West and Hartford Parish Councils and school governors, past and present.

Rev. Mike Smith, chairman of governors, who also led the project steering group, read a prayer of thanksgiving which was added to the time capsule which will be buried on site in the next few months.

The capsule will include many items the children have chosen to reflect life in 2018. The school hope the capsule will be opened in 25 years’ time – by which time thousands of children will have been taught in the classrooms.