Kier Sheffield LLP and Stocksbridge Nursery Infant School celebrated the completion of the school's expansion project with an afternoon of unveilings and prizes.

The event, which kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by pupils, teachers, parents and governors, was held to reveal the newly-built extension housing two office spaces plus a brand new secure access key fob system to keep the school safe. The new system ensures that everyone requiring entry into the building will be verified before being allowed access.

The ribbon cutting was followed by a prize-giving ceremony to recognise pupils who had taken part in Kier's 'walk to school' initiative. Kier donated bikes and helmets towards the initiative which were given to the pupils who had walked to school the most during a two-month period. The initiative was a great success and the school saved one and a half tons of carbon dioxide emissions within the two-month period, which is the equivalent energy needed to boil 6,500 kettles.

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Head Teacher, Jane Townsend said: "We are delighted with our new office spaces. The working relationship between Kier and our school was positive throughout with staff, pupils and parents. Our children learnt all about construction whilst the build was taking place and the team took time to talk to the children about how a building is made - there were models of buildings all over school!

"The extension exceeds our expectations; it's a bright, welcoming and modern space which is secure for staff, parents and most importantly our children. Kier got it right– they worked in partnership with us and great attention was paid to detail. We enjoyed working with them – they became part of our school team for the duration of the build."

Kier's £135,000 expansion project at the school began in July 2011 and was completed in November - on time and without setbacks - all due to the positive attitude that the school had throughout the whole period of construction.

(CD/GK)