PUPILS at a Stourbridge school have found a recipe for success after the opening of a new cooking and arts facility.

Ham Dingle Primary School has officially opened its new ARC centre for use by pupils and the wider community.

The facility was named ARC after brothers and pupils at the school, James and Samuel Checketts, won a competition to name the centre.

ARC stands for Arts, Recreation and Community and the centre will be used for cooking classes, arts, music and the after-school club is also based there.

Councillor Tim Crumpton, cabinet member for children’s services, who officially cut the ribbon on the new centre on Monday (November 17), said: “Congratulations to the staff at Ham Dingle for making such a fantastic use of what was previously a caretaker’s house.

"The smiles on the children’s faces say it all as it’s given them a fantastic place to do their arts, cookery and music.

"I would also encourage local community groups to get in touch with the school to find out more about using the facility."

Headteacher Jo Davies added: “It has always been my vision to create extra teaching space for the children to support the arts and music in the curriculum.

"The new facility will be used for cooking, arts, music and much more. Our mission statement at Ham Dingle is ‘making learning irresistible’ and the way the children have responded to the new centre has been fantastic.”

The centre, which was used as a caretaker’s home for more than 25 years, has taken around eight months of planning and developing.

Community and business groups who are interested in renting the facility for meetings and events, should contact the school on 01384 818965.