A new reception area at a Basildon school has been officially opened by the mayor after a merger of an infant and junior school.

The mayor of Basildon, councillor Allan Davies, has visited Greensted Primary School and Nursery to mark the physical merging of Greensted Infant and Junior Schools.

The schools were amalgamated by the Lee Chapel Multi-Academy Trust after the retirement of the infant school headteacher, and with the aim to enhance consistency in educational provision and improve school dynamics.

Greensted Primary School was officially formed on back in September 2022, but extensive building works have followed to create a new reception area and corridor to join the KS1 and KS2 buildings.

A new nursery area was also constructed to provide early years provision for children aged two to four years old.

The final works have now been completed, and in operation, with the mayor marking the official opening.

Mr Shiven Chetty, head of school, said: "We were delighted to have the mayor of Basildon visit our School to perform our official opening.

"The children were absolutely thrilled to have had the chance to meet the mayor and to share some of their wonderful work with him.”