A turf cutting ceremony to mark the start of building work on the new £5million St Peter’s Anglican and Methodist VC Primary School development will be held on Monday 14 September.
Councillor Sheila Cook, executive member for children and young people, headteacher Keith Tinline-Purvis, teachers, pupils, governors, representatives from the church, together with contractors, Thomas Vale Construction, will be present at the event.
The development, funded by South Gloucestershire Council, will replace the existing St Peter’s primary school on a separate site at Bank Road, Pilning. It is planned to open in autumn 2010.
Councillor Sheila Cook, executive member for children and young people, said: “This is an important milestone in this exciting development and will transform primary school provision for pupils in Pilning. This project is yet more evidence of the council’s commitment to invest in state of the art school facilities for young people to help them achieve their full potential.”
Local member for Pilning and Severn Beach ward, Councillor Peter Tyzack, said: “The children I represent deserve the very best we can provide for them. It is clearly no use spending large amounts of money patching up two old buildings, when a new build is the only sensible and sustainable answer. Our children get only one chance at their education, and this new building will provide the right environment to encourage each pupil to achieve their very best.”
Barrie Keast, chair of governors said: “The start of the building marks a long and eagerly awaited event in the formation and life of St Peter’s. Many people, both young and old, have contributed to making this day possible and are all excited and look forward to seeing our ideas taking shape. The imaginatively designed, environmentally-friendly building promises to enhance the excellent teaching and learning that already takes place on the existing site. It will further improve the facilities we offer and will make school an enjoyable and rewarding experience to all who study and work there.”
Headteacher Keith Tinline-Purvis, said: “I am delighted that finally the new school building is about to begin after such a long gestation period. The children of St Peter’s will acquire an exciting building and stimulating environment that they helped to design. We are now looking forward to the time when we can move into this new state of art facility and transform it in to our school that will be at the heart of the community.”
Paul Clarke, divisional director at Thomas Vale Construction said: “As a local contractor, we are extremely proud to be working in partnership with South Gloucestershire Council and St Peter’s School to ensure we deliver a high quality learning facility that will benefit future generations to come.”
The development, which was conceived in consultation with local stakeholders and designed by B3 Architects, will provide accommodation for 210 pupils.
The new school will feature spacious, modern classrooms, a library, music room and a large feature hall which can be used for a range of purposes, from dining to performances and sports.
Externally the school will enjoy a large recreational area with sports pitch, hard surface play areas and landscaped grounds providing exciting play and learning opportunities. Existing greenery will be retained, and additional trees and bushes planted.
Source: South Gloucestershire Council
