A school nursery in Hartlepool has officially re-opened a year after it was destroyed by fire.

The nursery and preschool classrooms at Brougham Primary School suffered significant damage following an arson attack on 13 August last year.

However, following a 12-month refurbishment programme, the new-look nursery and preschool area was unveiled today (3 September) in the presence of staff, nursery children and parents.

Ann Cooper, the school’s Early Years Governor, who started at Brougham as a teaching assistant in 1972 and is also a volunteer at the school, cut a ribbon to mark the re-opening.

Sarah Greenan, Headteacher of Brougham Primary School, thanked the whole school community for pulling together.

Speaking after the re-opening, Sarah Greenan said: “The last 12 months has been one of the most challenging periods in the school’s history.

“The fire that swept through our nursery and preschool was devastating and the rebuilding programme was not an easy task. It required immense dedication, hard work, and collaboration from everyone, especially our Early Years Team.

“It has, however, provided the opportunity to massively upgrade the learning environment for our youngest children. Previously, we had four outdated classrooms, but we now have a lovely, modern open plan area which has been built specifically to meet the needs of our children.

“We’ve also been able to improve the outdoor play area and now have artificial grass and new play equipment.

In the interim, nursery and preschool children have been housed in temporary classrooms.

Linda Armstrong, the school’s Early Years Lead, commented: “The temporary classrooms have served the children well, but everyone is looking forward to returning to the main building and our new classrooms.

“The fire has given us the opportunity to completely restructure the nursery and preschool area, creating a much more useable and modern space with state-of-the art décor, equipment and furniture.

Brougham is one of ten primary schools across Teesside and County Durham under the umbrella of Ad Astra Academy Trust.

Andy Brown OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Ad Astra Academy Trust, said: “I would like to thank everyone for their support and hard work over the last twelve months.

“The project has ensured that we have a highly stimulating learning environment for the young children within the community.”

The other primary schools within Ad Astra Academy Trust are Barnard Grove, West Park and West View in Hartlepool, Crooksbarn and Rosebrook in Stockton-on-Tees, Ayresome and Sunnyside in Middlesbrough and Deaf Hill and Kelloe in County Durham.