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Our new school building has been officially opened.

Magna Carta Primary Academy welcomed its first pupils two years ago and moved into its brand-new building this September.

With growing pupil numbers – now with 80 pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 – the official opening was packed with families, pupils and members of the community, as well as representatives from the building company.

Speeches were given by headteacher Marios Solomonides and Helena Mills CBE, CEO of BMAT, the Trust which operates the school.

Mr Solomonides said: “So many people have had a part to play in creating this school. The people who had to make the biggest decision were the first 19 parents who chose our school. We had determined parents, children and staff who created this school.

“The school opened two years ago; a building does not make a school, the people and relationships make a school. So, I wanted to thank those first 19 parents who started the ball rolling.”

Mr Solomonides also spoke about how the opening will become a piece of history for future generations to look back on, before burying a time capsule with pupils.

He said: “We are here as the people opening this school, but we should take a moment to think about all the people who will come after us. We are just the caretakers of the school and it is bigger than that.

“People hold such fond memories of their primary schools and that’s what we want for our children.

“Together, we will create that.”

Councillor Ray Gooding told the audience how the school’s building is part of a £107m investment in school buildings in Essex this year.

Pupils Arabella, Michael, Dotty and Ava took the opportunity to tell their guests how much they love their new school, saying: “We love the building because it’s big and we have lots of space to play in and have fun and run around.”

Ms Mills CBE said: “The building is beautiful. But, school really isn’t about a building. Every time I come here, whether that be at the old site or the new, I cannot get over the warmth, how happy the children are and how passionate they are about the things they are learning. I love the fact I hear laughter, not just from the children, but also the teachers. That’s why this is a great school.

“It takes a whole village to educate a child. We have a real opportunity here in Stansted to make sure everybody takes part in educating the children already in this school and those who are yet to attend the school in years to come.

“This school is for young people and they are our future. We need to invest in them as they are going to look after us and be caretakers of the world for the future. The future is going to be great in their hands.”