YOUNGSTERS cut a cake to officially re-open their school after work on part of an extensive refurbishment programme was completed.

St Martin’s Ampleforth Pre-Prep, near Helmsley, has seen the nursery and reception classrooms restructured to an open plan design, allowing much more shared space and interaction.

The Year One and Year Two classrooms have also been renovated to optimise lesson delivery and to ensure the children are provided with excellent facilities and opportunities to learn in a stimulating setting.

The refurbishment also saw the addition of a kitchen classroom and a new activities room where the boarders can relax and play in their free time.

And both Ampleforth College headmaster David Lambon and future Head of School David Moses were in attendance at the opening, demonstrating close links between the two schools.

Head of Pre-Prep Kate Oakley said: “The children have been very excited by the new kitchen facility which brings increased opportunity for hands-on baking and cooking sessions.

“The new format provides the younger children with a smooth, happy transition from Nursery to Reception and a much more fluid learning environment across the Foundation stage.”