The project to extend and improve the Escola La Ma Bella responds to the need for more places in publicly run schools in the neighbourhood, where the demand for places stands at 78%. The school currently has 359 pupils, but when the additional two classes are opened up it will have a capacity for 450 students.

One renovation and two new buildings

The school was originally made up of a building from the 1950s, which has now been completely renovated. In 2017, the City Council acquired the land where the church stood in Plaça de Sant Bernat Calvó. The church was in a very poor state of repair and was demolished to make way for the annex to the school. The acquisition of the site and the building came in response to calls from local residents.

The project for the Escola La Mar Bella involved an investment of 7,418,620 euros and was for the original block and two more new buildings: one extending the school and the other on the empty site left by the demolition of the church and linked to the other building with a bridge.

A school open to the neighbourhood

Part of the new facilities at the school, with direct access from the street, will be shared with local people. This agreement means neighbourhood organisations can use the facilities outside of classroom hours. Initially, the new facilities (sports court, multi-purpose space and changing rooms) in the third building will be opened up to the neighbourhood.