His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent has performed the official opening ceremony for Surrey County Council's new £8 million Leatherhead Trinity Primary School.

He was welcomed by Headteacher Alison Walsh and the county council's Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning Peter Martin as well as Chairman Geoff Marlow. The Duke unveiled a commemorative plaque in honour of his visit.

Mr Martin said: "It's an honour and a privilege for us that The Duke of Kent agreed to visit our fantastic new school. It was a memorable day for the council, the school and everyone who has helped to take this building off the drawing board and make it a key focal point of the community. The design, layout and facilities are absolutely amazing and we are delighted to receive royal recognition for the wonderful learning environment the complex provides for youngsters in Leatherhead both now and for many years to come."


Mrs Walsh said: "The new school building is truly amazing and a joy to work in for everyone. We all feel incredibly privileged to be working and learning in such a wonderful building and are very honoured that the Duke of Kent has officially opened the school for us."

Leatherhead Trinity, which opened its doors in September, is built on two floors and accommodates up to 390 pupils. It has 13 classrooms, a special educational needs language unit, a library, an IT room and a multi-purpose hall with adjoining music and dance studio. It also includes a school meals kitchen, staff facilities, a multi-use games area and a large car park for staff and parents to use. Due to the sloping nature of the site the school also has a distinctive bridge linking the upper floor of the building with the football pitch.

It is an energy-efficient building thanks to its high level of insulation and aluminium roof. The school is externally finished with rain screen cladding panels.

(CD/BMcC)