SECONDARY SCHOOL students could not believe their eyes when their brand new creative arts block was unveiled this week.

Plans for the state-of-the-art music, art and drama centre at Woodbridge High School have been six years in the making.

But students at the school in St Barnabas Road, Woodford Green finally started reaping the rewards of their patience when it was officially opened on Monday (October 17).

The new facility is the latest development in Woodbridge’s expansion project, which has seen them take an extra 60 pupils a year, as well as building a new canteen and fitness suite.

The block boasts a theatre, drama and music rooms with cutting edge composition software, art rooms with pottery and glass kilns, and brand new history and computing suites.

Redbridge Mayor Cllr Gurdial Bhamra cut the ribbon to officially open the block and gave pupils a heartfelt speech about his hopes for their future.

Deputy head teacher Jeremy Clifton said: “The Mayor clearly has young people at heart.

“He was very impressed and congratulated students and staff on how well we are doing and that the school is really going places.”

The art music and drama facilities will also be opened up to neighbouring primary schools, community groups and Redbridge Drama Centre.

Mr Clifton added: “It really does have the wow factor.

“What stuck in my mind was the look on students’ faces as they walked in.

“I even had a few ask me ‘Are we actually allowed to use it?”

But despite the grand opening happening on time and on budget, when the previous contractor pulled out in July 2014, things did not look so certain.

Mr Clifton said: “It has been a real rollercoaster and when the builders backed out just months before work was due to start we suffered a real low point.

“Luckily Kier were really interested and completely understood what we wanted to do.

“The expansion has meant a lot of disruption for the students, but they haven’t let it affect their learning and have coped magnificently.”

He added: “We can really look ahead to the future now, this is going to give the children a real lift.

“In all the 19 years I have been here we have never been so strong – we have the best students, the best staff, the best results and now the best resources too.”