A school has unveiled a new £6 million teaching block set to help the increase in pupil admissions.

Borden Grammar in Sittingbourne held an official opening of the building last Friday (September 27).

It has taken more than four years in development, with the initial planning starting during the early stages of the pandemic.

In January 2022, Kent County Council (KCC) granted permission for the proposals.

It was expected that the demand for pupils in the borough would grow in the following year and the boys’ school required more accommodation for sports facilities and classrooms.

At the time, some concerns were raised over the new build "dominating" the tree-lined the Avenue of Remembrance, dedicated to 181 men from Swale who died in the war.

However, the majority of KCC members said educational needs had to be prioritised as 10 voted in favour of the scheme, with two against.

The new two-storey block includes a state-of-the-art sports hall, changing rooms, classrooms, a science room and a sixth form area.

It has been named after the former Borden head teacher, Harold Vafeas, who passed away in 2013.

The dad-of-three, who lived in Margate with his wife Maggie, was diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 2012.

He was just 58 years old when he died.

The opening was well attended by more than 100 guests, along with several from Mr Vafeas’ family – including his wife, children and grandchildren.

Cllr Ben Martin, the Mayor of Swale, Cllr Simon Clark and Kevin McKenna, MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, were at the event.

Senior representatives from KCC, assistant director of education Rob Veale, and Cllr Rory Love, who is the cabinet nember for education, have supported the development throughout the years and also made an appearance.

Head teacher Ashley Tomlin gave a speech and a tribute was paid by the head student from the time when Mr Vafeas had been at the school.

His wife gave a touching and emotional speech before unveiling the plaque and portrait that will be positioned at the entrance to the building.

The new block is a well-awaited development in the selective and ever-growing school that has served the local community since 1878.

Mr Tomlin added: "We are truly honoured to dedicate this block to a former headteacher who passed away whilst serving his community.

“It is also a much-needed resource for Borden students, both in terms of the many students who take part in sport, but also for our sixth form students who work so hard.”

It has allowed the school to expand from teaching 120 to 150 boys a year.