CHILDREN in Heddon-on-the-Wall welcomed the Archbishop of York to their school on Monday morning to celebrate its expansion.

In September, the school became Heddon-on-the-Wall St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School, after converting from a first school into a primary school as part of a transition to a two-tier education system in the Ponteland area.

It underwent a £1.5m extension, funded by Northumberland County Council, and now has the capacity to teach 173 pupils.

The expansion has also seen the creation of a new secure lobby, a bigger car park and better facilities for pupils with disabilities.

And on Monday morning, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, visited the school to bless the new extension and see the school’s transformation.

He attended a presentation by the children, which involved singing and dancing demonstrations and talks about what they liked about their school and the wider community.

Dr Sentamu then addressed the children and staff with a short talk and a dedication and blessing of the school, before spending time in the classrooms with the children and staff.

“Schools should be places where all are able to flourish,” said Dr Sentamu.

“The fact that St Andrew’s has grown by a third is recognition that they are doing a brilliant job,”

“I love joining in with children in worship, as they have a natural openness to God from which the rest of us can learn.

“As we worship together, I pray that we will all catch a greater vision of God and all that He has created each one of us to be.”

Headteacher Andrew Wheatley said: “The children have really enjoyed finding out about the Archbishop and what he does.

“It is an honour and a privilege to welcome him to bless both our amazing new facilities and our whole school family.”