Posted on 29th Mar
Expansion work to double the capacity of a primary school near Newark continues to take shape with a new roof now in place.
The single-storey extension project at Chuter Ede Primary School’s Fernwood site is set to deliver an additional 210 primary school places and helps to address growing demand in the area.
The improvements are part an overall £9.4m investment, made up of £5.4m from Nottinghamshire County Council’s school places programme, with housing developer contributions worth £4m.
Work includes eight new classrooms, a library and music room, an activity hall, a medical room, a football pitch, and new outdoor equipment. The work is due to be completed ahead of September, ready for the new school year.
Council leader Coun Mick Barton visited the school alongside Coun James Walker-Gurley, cabinet member for Economic Development and Asset Management; Coun Simon Wright, cabinet member for Education and SEND; and Coun Rory Green, cabinet member for Children and Families.
Mick said: “This is a fantastic school, and I’ve been really impressed with the improvements made so far.
“This work will double the amount of school places and will be a real boost for this community.”
James added: “Improving facilities is essential as young people deserve to learn in well-equipped and modern buildings to help their education.”
Headteacher Bernadette Hunter said: “It’s great to be at the stage where the new extension has a roof.
“We have been pleasantly surprised with how smooth things have been so far with this work. We have a great relationship with the on-site team from Morgan Sindall.
“There continues to be a real buzz and a sense of excitement among staff and pupils about this expansion work.”
The work is being designed, project and cost-managed by Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE, and delivered through its construction partner Morgan Sindall.
The project is also providing students at Nottingham Trent University with opportunities to develop their skills in architecture, technology, project management, and quantity surveying.
This has been made possible through the university’s partnerships with Arc Partnership and Morgan Sindall and has seen students participate in site visits to Chuter Ede Primary School and attend lectures focused on the project.
