Works have officially started to construct a new primary school in Amington, Tamworth which will provide much-needed new teaching provision for the local area.
Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, is delivering the construction of the £7m Garden Village Primary School on behalf of Staffordshire County Council and alongside Entrust as the Project Manager and concept Architects. Procured through the Constructing West Midlands (CWM) framework, the school will be managed by Fiertè Multi Academy Trust.
Due to open its doors to its first cohort of pupils in September 2024, the new two-storey 1FE school located on Eagle Drive in Amington will provide 210 primary and 26 nursery places to meet the demand for residents in the nearby housing developments.
The 17,0000 sq. ft. facility will comprise nine classrooms, staff offices, an indoor school hall and catering spaces, alongside an outdoor play area to enable pupils to take part in a number of sporting activities.
The energy efficient design will ensure a good amount of daylight and natural ventilation to the building and to ensure the scheme adjusts to temperature changes, high levels of insulation and thermal mass will be applied to walls and ceilings.
The structural steel frame is now complete and a sod cutting ceremony to mark the start of works took place at the grounds on Thursday 30th November. The event was attended by Fiertè Multi-Academy Trust, G F Tomlinson, Staffordshire County Council and Entrust representatives.
G F Tomlinson has vast experience of working within the education sector, providing high quality school provision across the region. This will be the ninth school that the contractor has delivered for Staffordshire County Council alongside Entrust, the latest of which was Beaconfields Primary School, which commenced in October.
Close liaison has been established with the local community, keeping neighbours informed of progress and planned activities, through regular newsletters and a public consultation with Fiertè Multi Academy Trust. Site tours will be provided to the trust and local schools to encourage engagement with the project.
Chris Flint, managing director of G F Tomlinson, said: "We have a long-standing relationship with Staffordshire County Council and Entrust and it is a privilege to build on this as we commence our ninth scheme working together.
"This school will provide modern teaching and recreational spaces that are much needed for the Amington area, improving the lives of residents in the neighbouring new housing developments, who require primary and nursery places."
Mark Sutton, Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said: "Staffordshire is a growing county and to meet that demand, we are committed to either upgrading facilities, or building new schools such as this, so communities have first class facilities on their doorstep.
"Learning is so much easier if it happens in a well-lit, well-designed school that meets the needs of children and staff and I look forward to seeing pupils take their places here in September."
Fiertè Multi-Academy Trust representative, said: "It is great to be working in partnership with G F Tomlinson, Staffordshire Country Council, Entrust and the Department for Education prior to the opening of Garden Village Primary Academy, the second free school we have been privileged to be selected to run in the Tamworth area.
"Our vision for the school is to work in close collaboration with parents, the local and wider community to soar to excellence. We have absolute confidence that we will have an amazing building for children to learn in and a site that they will delight in exploring. We very much look forward to welcoming our first nursery and Reception cohorts joining us in September 2024."