A PRIMARY school was buzzing after opening their new early years building.

Parents and youngsters flocked to Ingleton C of E Primary School for the official opening of ‘The Hive’, a new purpose built facility for children aged three to five.

The project, costing £62,000 in total, has taken two years to complete and the new ‘busy bees’ were eager to get inside on Friday (October 2) to find out more about outdoor classroom which has been themed around bumble bees and has everything from a purpose built kitchen, reading corner and even Astroturf play zone.

Headteacher, Judith Pressley, explained how everyone at the school was excited to finally open the facility.

“This is a big project we have had in school to enable us to have early years in our own learning area,” she said.

“Our outside classroom is called ‘The Hive’ and these are our busy bees.”

She added: “It’s to enable them to have an input with their learning so they can use the inside or outside space every day and enjoy the environment.”

She also said she wanted to thank the whole community for getting behind the project, especially the village’s Mary and Jimmy Wilson, who recently passed away and left £30,000 for the project, which has been recognised with a special plaque on the building in memory of the couple.

The local pub has also been donating funds from its weekly quiz while the Raper family raised £1,000 after hosting a coffee morning.

“We have been very pleased with the community effort in helping us fundraise for this,” she added.

“It has been a big community effort and we are so grateful.”

As well as the community, and £10,000 from the Big Lottery Fund, the project was also helped by the Teesdale Action Partnership (TAP) which contributed about £5,000 to the overall cost through the TAP and councillor neighbourhood budgets.

TAP’s Maggie Wilson attended the opening and said: “We are very pleased that TAP and the local Councillors have been able to support the school with a grant for this project.

“TAP is all about making a difference in local communities and I hope that the children at the school will benefit for years to come”.

The centre currently has 19 pupils but can take up to about 30.

Speaking about the children’s reactions, Mrs Pressley said: “They love it – they love every minute in here and they don’t want to go home.”

To find out more call the school on 01325 730 366.