Countess of Wessex opens new block at school

HRH Sophie Windsor, the Countess of Wessex, officially unveiled the plaque at the A Block at St Mary's School Wrestwood last Friday.

The Countess is the patron of the school, which caters for children with moderate learning difficulties and communication problems.

The two-storey A Block is the next step in the school's programme of expansion. It is for students aged 16 to 19 and contains bright, airy study rooms with surround sound technology so the teacher's voice can be heard in all parts of the classroom.

There is also a therapy room.

Principal and chief executive of St Mary's Wrestwood, David Cassar, took the Countess and other invited civic figures on a short tour before the ceremony at the A Block, which was designed by architects Marianne and Robb Oliver.

The Countess visited two classrooms of younger children, and showed great interest in what they were learning.

At the official unveiling of the plaque at the A Block, David Knight, vice chair of the governors, spoke about how the media in the UK tended to concentrate on the cult of celebrity, making much of the rich and famous.

He said: "In reality the measure of the morals of any society is how we treat its weaker members - the children and young people.

"We are very much on the side of the good guys on that one."

HRH the Countess of Wessex said: "I have seen the school and the college change quite a lot and every time it has been a huge pleasure to meet the students.

"It (the A Block] is yet another stepping stone to achieving David Cassar's dream and it's wonderful. It's lovely to see it up and running."

The Countess went on to praise Mr Cassar's efforts in conceiving and building the A Block, and also his relationship with the students.

She said: "The first time I came here I attended a wonderful garden party and school assembly. It was amazing in a very special way.

"Every single student lit up when David walked past them. It was so touching."

After the speeches, St Mary's Wrestwood students Joseph Martin and Alexandra Rayment presented the Countess with a small bouquet of flowers.

Once her visit was over, children and staff gathered outside the school porch to wave the Countess off.

Other guests who greeted the Countess at the royal visit were Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex Peter Field, vice chairman of East Sussex County Council Rupert Simmons, chief executive of East Sussex County Council Cheryl Miller, Rother District Council chairman Joanne Gadd and mayor of Bexhill Patrick Douart.

'¢ St Mary's School Wrestwood is residential and caters for children aged between seven and 16 and students aged between 16 and 19.

It was founded in 1922 and has 132 children on its books, supported by 280 staff, including administrators, medical staff, speech therapists and catering staff.

The school enjoys a world-class reputation for both teaching and training children with learning difficulties for independence in later life.

Children come to St Mary's Wrestwood from all over the country, mainly the south east, and some even come from abroad, from places such as The Seychelles and Jordan.