A school has officially unveiled its multi-million-pound teaching block as it aims to double the intake of pupils.

Plans to expand Teynham Primary School in Station Road, near Sittingbourne, were submitted in June 2023, and construction began in spring last year.

The former building was erected as a temporary structure 50 years ago and “suffers from woefully inadequate insulation, heating and ventilation systems”, according to plans sent to Kent County Council.

It also struggled with overheating in the summer and carried “extremely high” heating costs in winter.

To combat this, the school now has 256 solar panels installed on top of the new two-storey building, saving money by either using the energy or selling it back to the grid.

Pupils were able to check out and use the 12 general classrooms and two reception classrooms on Tuesday, June 10.

Head teacher Elizabeth Pearson said: “In addition, we rent out a nursery space to a preschool and they’ve come across with us.

“We’ve also got a sensory room and lots of little intervention rooms for children that need that little bit of extra support.

“Cooking has always been part of our curriculum, so we have a purpose-built kitchen as well as a practical space room for artwork, science, design and technology.

“It’s having some of those elements that you’d only get in a secondary school that we’ve managed to incorporate into here.”

The 52-year-old, who has worked at the school since 2009, was involved with the project from day one and says it is “future-proofing for the local community”.

Classes per year are set to rise from one to two and pupil numbers will increase from 210 to 420 by 2031.

It comes after a 298-home development in nearby Frognal Lane was approved last July.

Elizabeth says next year will increase to two reception classes and then gradually build up each time until the maximum amount.

The project, which has been assigned to construction company WW Martin, is costing approximately £11 million.

Cash is coming from KCC’s basic need funding, which is allocated by the government to ensure there are enough school places for children in the local area.

“It’s not cheap but well worth it,” the head teacher said.

“Where I have been able to sell or recycle things from the old building, I’ve done that.

“We’ve had three vanloads of classroom equipment and furniture that another school took. I’d rather it all goes to a good home.”

Pupils have been getting involved with the project throughout and even placed a time capsule underneath the playground with pictures, letters and the current prices of everyday items.

They also hope to uncover one buried in the old 1970s schoolhouse, after a resident sent in a letter to say it should be there.

Elizabeth added: “The support we’ve had from the parents in the community has been absolutely overwhelming.

“All week I’ve had children coming up to me telling me how fabulous it is and how much they love it.

“There’s space, there’s air and they are so settled that it already feels like we’ve been here for a long while. It’s better than I could have ever expected.”

Phase two of the project will involve gradually demolishing the old schoolhouse and replacing it with a larger car park which will include EV chargers and cycle shelters.

There will also be a new multi-sports court and further landscaping.

Parts of the former building are already being taken down.

Darren Offen, senior site manager for WW Martin, said: “We are proud to be working as a trusted construction partner to KCC and Teynham Parochial Church of England Primary School on this important project.

“It has been a real pleasure to collaborate closely with them throughout the process to help realise their vision for the new school.

“With the main building now successfully completed, we look forward to continuing this strong partnership as we move into the next phase of works, including the safe demolition of the existing school and the delivery of new high-quality external spaces, such as the new car park and Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA).”

It is expected to be completed by December.