PUPILS are celebrating a £1.9million extension to their school.

Netherton Primary has undergone year-long works to bring bright new educational space for youngsters.

The extensive improvement work took place over two phases and has resulted in bright new facilities for children to learn.

Anita Baskerville, Head Teacher of Netherton Primary School, said: "The school building has been completely transformed, making way for lovely, bright new spacious environment for our children to learn and develop."

The first stage saw the construction of a new admin wing containing a school office, meeting room and medical room.

Two classroom huts were then demolished at the rear of the Wishaw school to allow new educational space to be created.

The extension includes four new classrooms, a multi-purpose room, new dining area and kitchen, additional toilets and store rooms; and it now means that pupils are now all learning together under the one roof.

Pupil Grace Adamson said: "I like the new classroom because the colours of the wall and carpet make me feel like I am in the sky."

Olivia Lamb added: "I love the new corridor as I get to go through lots of big doors. I like the windows as they are very high and they have handles to open them."

The school, which originally opened in 1912, has many unique internal features such as arched entranceways, high ceilings and a fireplace.

Over the years some of these features had been covered over; however, they have all been exposed and refurbished to their original grandeur.

Modern construction and design techniques, including solar panels on the roof and sun-pipes in corridors have been used throughout the refurbishment to promote natural light and ventilation.

These features, along with improved insulation and high-spec windows, are intended to improve energy efficiency and future-proof the building for generations to come.

Councillor Jim Logue, Convener of Learning and Leisure Services, added: "The new facilities are very impressive and I'm sure the pupils and staff at Netherton will be very proud of their new school."

Local apprentices were employed on the project and school pupils were given presentations by the contractors and architect to ensure they were kept safe while work was taking place.