Sidmouth Herald
11 November 2005

Dig this! Work begins on school £450,000 revamp by John Turner

Children and staff at Sidmouth Infants School watched as the first turf was cut on Wednesday to start a £450,000 renovation programme.

County councillor and school governor Stuart Hughes set the development in progress, watched by a crowd of children and teachers, appropriately clad in yellow PVC waistcoats.

"I brought my own spade with me but apparently I'm going to be in the digger over there, said Mr Hughes, before handing operations over to Sidmouth contractors Skinner.

"It's a big day in the history of the school and we look forward to the completion. The work that's going on here will live with these kids for the rest of their lives, " he added.

The work to provide two new classrooms, new toilets and toilets for the disabled is scheduled for completion in five months' time.

The new building will replace dilapidated prefabricated classrooms, one of which has been in place for 20 years.

Head teacher Hilary Williams said: "It will be wonderful to have the two new classrooms and toilets which we hope will be finished by next Easter.

"it means we will have 21st century classrooms for 21st century children.

"Our parents are really pleased and the children will be very excited when it is all done."