Posted on Monday 28th October 2024
Cllr Jonathan Price and Headteacher Mrs Sonia Burke
Pupils and staff are settling into their new surroundings at Garden Village Primary Academy, as the school celebrates its first term.
Located on Eagle Drive in Amington, Tamworth, the new school offers multiple classrooms, staff offices and an indoor sports hall, along with outdoor play areas and an extensive playing field.
The new two-storey 1FE £8m school will provide 210 primary and 26 nursery places to meet the demand for residents in the nearby housing developments.
The high energy efficient design will ensure a good amount of daylight and natural ventilation to the building, whilst reducing its carbon emissions and keeping energy cost low.
The new school is one of 4 opened in Staffordshire this year and part of a wider £30m+ investment in schools by the authority.
Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education, including SEND, Jonathan Price said:
“It was great to speak with the children and staff and hear first-hand how they are enjoying their new surroundings.
“It’s vital that our schools are fit for future learners and having good facilities is proven to aid children’s learning. This new school is a vibrant, modern school with state-of-the-art facilities. It’s also one of the most sustainable in the County, which will help meet our target of reaching net zero by 2030. I look forward to seeing the school grow over the next few years."
The academy will be managed by the Fiertè Multi Academy Trust.
Vice-CEO, Tony Hand at the trust, said:
“It has been an absolute privilege and delight to see children and staff making use of the fantastic building and outdoor spaces since opening in September.
“Parents and members of the community, who came for an open day, have commented on how wonderful the site and facilities are too. We are enormously appreciative of everyone’s efforts including the builders, local authority and Entrust for delivering on the project in partnership with the Trust.
“We look forward to the school filling with more children over time and to providing the excellent education we strive for every day.”
Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson and Entrust’s architect and project manager, worked with Staffordshire County Council to deliver the project.
Adrian Grocock, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said:
“It’s a privilege to have completed our ninth scheme working alongside Staffordshire County Council and Entrust, building on our long-standing relationships and our extensive experience.
“Improving the lives of young people from the neighbouring new housing developments, who require primary and nursery places, the Garden Village Primary Academy provides modern teaching and recreational spaces to enhance the learning environment for pupils in the Amington area.”
The 1,580m2 facility has 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.