Monday August 22nd 2016
The first day of term after the summer holidays can be a struggle for some pupils but not if you’ve got a brand new school to explore, it seems.
Pupils from the new Bilston and Gore Glen primaries arrived at their new classes with beaming smiles and brand new uniforms today.
Piper James Wilson and head teacher Sheryl Wallace greeted Bilston pupils while at Gore Glen, head teacher Pauline Marr also had a warm welcome for the new starts.
Ms Marr said: “It’s a fantastic day and what’s also very exciting about having the new school is that we are able to evolve and grow with the community.”
Mrs Wallace was equally enthusiastic about Bilston. She said: This is a really significant moment for Bilston. I feel very privileged to be the Head Teacher of this brand new school and I am looking forward to working with all the children, their families and staff, to make Bilston Primary the caring, happy and successful centre of this community.”
Shelley Kay, who sits on the Bilston Parent Council, and her daughter Isla, 9, were among the first people through the door. Shelley, who has taken an active role in the community consultation about the new facility, said: “Having an entire new school is great for the village, it gives us a bit of independence.” Isla, who is in P5, said she was “excited” about taking her place in her new classroom. Getting out of bed that morning had been “easy”, she said.
The £6.6 million school was designed by award-winning AHR Architects while McLaughlin & Harvey Construction Ltd built the facility after extensive public consultation.
The new school can accommodate in excess of 200 pupils initially in eight classrooms. There is also room to expand and the space has been designed to give the local community access to large areas of the school. The MUGA sports pitch can also be used by local people all year round.
Both schools’ names for chosen after a public competition.
Gore Glen Primary in Gorebridge, designed by AHR Architects and built by Morrison Construction, caters for up to 558 pupils with two classes in each primary year.
The school cost around £8.9 million, the majority of which came from developer’s contributions.
The school has an outdoor, multi-use games area, changing rooms and sports pitch. It also caters for children with additional support needs.
