A Shipley primary school has welcomed the acting Bishop of Bradford to dedicate and bless new reception classes.

Wycliffe CE Primary School celebrated the official opening of its new purpose- built reception suite yesterday with the Rt Rev Tom Butler, who is acting bishop while Nick Baines is on a temporary sabbatical.

Parents, governors and children were treated to a Japanese drumming performance by the school’s Year 5 and head Jo Newman gave a talk on the history of the school since it opened in 1879.

The school has expanded as part of a programme by Bradford Council to increase capacity at existing schools.

The expansion includes two new Year 1 classrooms, and a conversion of a downstairs area to form a purpose-built reception learning suite, including an outdoor classroom.

Miss Newman said: “This represents a new and exciting era for our school, our children and our staff. Pupils and parents are delighted and excited for the future.”