A NEW classroom block has been built at a Clacton primary school as part of a £1.6million development.

Raven’s Academy, in Nayland Drive, underwent the makeover which was commissioned by Essex County Council in a bid to meet rising demand for school places in the area.

The seven new classrooms were unveiled on Friday , September 8 when pupils were joined by members of the council and Phelan Construction – the company which designed and built the new block.

County Hall education boss Ray Gooding said: “We have a fantastic track record of investment in new school places and spent about £74million creating more than 2,500 places across Essex for the new academic year.

“As a result, we were able to offer a record percentage of pupils a place at their parents’ preferred school this year.

“It is fantastic to see pupils making use of the excellent new facilities created by expansion projects such as this one at Ravens Academy.

“We recognise that more school places will still be needed in the years to come and have already committed to spending about £230million over the next three years to ensure there are enough school places to meet demand.”

The new classroom block is already up and running ready for this academic year.