From David Hutchings, Exeter 382594, June 17, 2008

A POPULAR EXETER primary school is opening a £1.1 million extension to cope with its growing number of pupils.

Clyst Heath Nursery and Community Primary School was opened in 2005 as part of the Exeter education reorganisation to serve the new housing development.

It was planned in two stages to expand with the local community. But the school has proved so popular with parents that the second stage was brought forward.

This has enabled a new foundation unit for children aged from three to six to be opened and the school has expanded its nursery provision so it can cater for up to 26 pupils.

The £1.1 million development was completed on time and under budget this Easter and it will be officially opened by Devon County Council chairman John Rawlinson at 10.30am on Friday, June 20.

He will be greeted by a pirate parade of pupils followed by a piratical fanfare from members of Class 5.

Less than 18 months after it opened, Clyst Heath was visited by education inspectors from Ofsted who judged that every aspect of school life was good with some outstanding features.

They said parents were "unstinting" in their praise for the new school while pupils felt safe and happy and really enjoyed coming to school.

One pupil told the inspectors: "Within five minutes of joining the school, I had five friends."

Headteacher Karen Hadley said today: "Clyst Heath is an incredibly busy, dynamic school and our fantastic staff and pupils have achieved such a lot since the very first children joined us in September 2005.

"The school has become firmly embedded in the community and very popular with local parents. We now have this state-of-the-art foundation unit which will allow us to grow the school even more."

Local county councillor Andrew Leadbetter said: "Clyst Heath has become a very successful school in a very short time thanks to the hard work of Karen Hadley and all her staff.

"I am very pleased that Devon County Council decided to bring forward the second phase of the development so that the growing number of local families who want to send their children to the school can be accommodated."

NOTE TO NEWS EDS: Reporters and photographers are welcome to attend the opening ceremony on Friday from 10.30am. For more information contact Karen Hadley on 01392 361415.