Thank you to all the parents who have already had a look at the proposals and given their feedback. If you have not seen the proposals, they are available on the school website . I would like to reassure parents that there will be no overall loss of playspace; the new hall will have a landscaped play and learning space on the roof – the same space as below just one floor up from the ground, This new space will be designed to allow more outdoor learning as well as creative play such as den building, play construction, quiet reading and drawing areas and more opportunities to be involved in planting . These activities were voted most popular in pupil surveys and focus groups in July.
There will be a walkway between the new and old building – the height of this walkway is anticipated to be 5.5m tall. The height of the new building, including canopy at the southwest end of the building, will be approximately 8.5m.
The main playground will also be transferred to the Lant Street playground. The temporary classrooms (currently housing year 1s) will be removed and replaced by green landscaping and retaining of the sports pitch. This new playground will include lots of opportunities for climbing and trails (also requested by the children) as well as simple run around space. It will be in this new playground space that parents of children in years N to Year 2 will drop off in the morning, using gates at both ends of Lant Street.
Overall we are gaining higher quality play space as well as two purpose built halls for PE, dance, assemblies and shows. This is in addition to the internal works to create more classrooms.
Finally, the proposals include a new bespoke nursery classroom on the site of the old school keeper’s house. This additional one storey nursery space will allow the school to offer free 2 year old provision to local families.
As soon as we have updated architectural drawings, these will be shared.