TWO brand new classrooms have opened at a Basingstoke infant school, allowing it to accommodate extra pupils.

The temporary building has been installed in the grounds between Oakridge Infant and Oakridge Junior Schools, in Oakridge Road, and will be used until both the schools can be extended to cater for the rise in pupil numbers.

The classrooms are being used by Year 2 pupils, who enjoyed a celebratory official opening of the new facilities.

Chair of governors Iain Cameron cut the ribbon to declare the building open for use last month.

He said: “I think it’s really fantastic that we have been able to increase the classrooms by two for this year. It means that more children in the local community are able to access this fantastic education.”

The classrooms have allowed the infant school to expand by one form entry; there are an extra 30 Year R pupils starting this year.

Both the infant and junior schools will eventually be extended to cater for this increase.

Mr Cameron, who has a son at Oakridge Infant School and whose two older daughters were also pupils there, said it is hoped that the extension will be complete within three to four years, adding: “It’s really exciting. Hopefully it relieves some of the pressure on school places in the area.”

The infant and junior school became federated last year and it is hoped that the temporary classrooms will help the transition for Year 2 pupils moving up to the junior school.

Sophie Millington, a Year 2 teacher who is the first to use the new facilities, said: “It’s lovely. We are part way between the two schools so they share the junior playground at times. The kids love it.”

As part of the opening celebrations the Year 2 children interviewed their parents who attended the ceremony.