Minister opens Forest Gate school’s £3.1m extension

Pupils and teachers alike have new classrooms to learn in as Elmhurst Primary School’s new wing was officially opened.

The £3.1million building, named after the school’s chair of governors, Graham Lane, includes four classrooms and a new reception area as well as a separate area for teacher training.

The school in Upton Park Road, Forest Gate, is one of just 35 maths hubs across the country and routinely hosts teachers from other schools to share ideas on how best to teach the subject.

Schools minister Nick Gibb, who cut the ribbon on Thursday, praised the work of headteacher Shahed Ahmed and his staff in raising standards.

He said: “Mr Ahmed belongs to a small minority of people for whom it is not socially acceptable to say ‘I can’t do Maths’.

“I think this school is a beacon and shows the way forward.”

Mr Ahmed explained how the Year 5 pupils have already moved into their new classrooms, having spent the early part of the school year being taught in temporary facilities.

Nine-year-old Faiza Iqbal said: “I’m so excited to be educated in the new modern classrooms.

“It is much more comfortable and it makes me really motivated to see the bright colours as soon as I enter.”

The Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, said: “When we invest in young people, we invest in the future.

“We have worked with the school to enable it to expand which will leave a legacy for future generations and support it to continue to meet the growing need for school places.”