Pupils and staff gave Kier Construction a resounding cheer on completion of a large-scale programme of extensions and improvements at Burlington Junior and Infant Schools in New Malden.

To mark the opening of their latest accommodation, which features a spacious main hall and four other new structures across the site, Kier Construction presented 15 new sports tops in appreciation of the co-operation shown by pupils and staff during year-long building works.

In return the schoolchildren presented Kier project manager Karl Hoffman with a colourful poster they had devised, displaying a montage of images and messages of thanks from individual pupils.

Paying tribute to Karl and his team, Pip Utting, head teacher of the juniors, said: "They were thoroughly professional throughout, looking after our safety and welfare while creating these marvellous new facilities. Karl was fabulous as project manager, communicating clearly with everyone at every stage of the works and going above and beyond to iron out snags and help us wherever he could. We are going to miss having him around!"

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Karl said: "We presented the sports tops to the school in appreciation of their goodwill and co-operation, which enabled us to carry out our work as quickly and efficiently as possible. Receiving the poster from the children was a really nice surprise. It's a wonderfully unique memento."

Under the £5.5m scheme carried out by Kier Construction's London operations based in Maple Cross, the Burlington schools are now equipped for four-form entry.

A two-storey extension for the junior school contains a library, IT suite and four extra classrooms, while a new link building with stairwell and lift connects this to the original school building. The infant and nursery school next door has gained two new classrooms and an administration block.

Both junior and infant pupils now benefit from a double height hall and gymnasium, equipped with underfloor heating and CO2 extractors and served by a purpose-built kitchen. Outside areas have been reconfigured with new surfaces and play equipment.

Kier has now completed three projects for the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames under the primary expansion programme. Similar schemes were recently handed over at Fern Hill Primary and Latchmere Primary Schools nearby.

(CD)