THE LATEST addition to an historic Otley school has been officially opened.

Students at Prince Henry's Grammar School have been enjoying the new facilities – created in what was an under-used, internal quadrangle – for some time now.

The area now houses four new classrooms, a dedicated sixth form cafe and seminar room, an art terrace, additional meeting space and a room for small group teaching.

The building of The Quad was financed by Prince Henry’s successful bids – totalling more than £1 million – to the 2014 to 2015 Academies Capital Maintenance Fund.

Chairman of the Foundation Governors, Dr Christopher Hatton, declared the facility officially open last week.

He said: "Can you believe this used to be a quadrangle, of very little use to the school?

"We have now seen the very imaginative scheme, which has converted this into an extraordinary educational space.

"The school has worked wonderfully well to improve the fabric of the building and the experience for the students."

The launch was attended by Otley’s Town Mayor, Councillor Philip Bye (Lib Dem, Prince Henry's), foundation and school governors, contractors, colleagues from partner education providers and staff.

They were treated to performances from Prince Henry’s students and given tours of the new facilities.

Headteacher, Janet Sheriff, said the building of The Quad was further vindication of the school's decision to become an Academy – amidst widespread opposition – in 2011.

And she added the school had been successful again this year with a bid to the Academies Capital Maintenance Fund, this time for £250,000, to refit the design and technology rooms and remove asbestos.

She said: "As well as enhancing facilities for our sixth form students, the additional space means from September, we will be able to accommodate an extra form of entry into Year 7 to alleviate the over-subscription in requests for places at our school.

"The design and technology block has been in real need of refurbishment for many years, so it is great to have been successful in our bid again this year and to be able to start that work.

"We have been very pleased to access nearly £2.5 million pounds of additional funding since becoming an Academy, it has made real difference to the fabric of the school and our students’ daily lives."