The Bishop of London visited a school to celebrate its recent expansion.

St Mary’s and St John’s CE School, in Hendon, now provides secondary education as well as primary.

The first Year 7 pupils started last month, and the school will grow each year until it includes a sixth form.

The Bishop of London, the Rt Rev and Rt Hon Richard Chartres, visited the school yesterday to bless the school and the opening of its new building, Bennett House, which includes a dance and drama studio, music rooms, science laboratories and a sports hall.

He was joined by Hendon MP Matthew Offord, as well as representatives from the education authority and the architects who worked on the school.

After the service, there was a tour of the new building and the wider school.

Headteacher Dee Oelman said: “It was a wonderful celebration of our school’s exciting expansion. Students were proud to show our many visitors around the school and were delighted to meet with and talk to the Bishop of London.

“St Mary’s and St John’s is a very special place and it was wonderful to participate in this service of blessing following a successful start to the new school year.”