Pictured: Andrea Cairns, Executive Headteacher, with Bramshall Meadows First School pupils on their first day.
A new £4.3 million first school built to support a growing local community within Uttoxeter has opened to pupils.
Staff at Bramshall Meadows First School welcomed the first classes of reception pupils and nursery children for the start of the new academic year last month.
Part of Uttoxeter Learning Trust, the new first school is equipped with a nursery, a specialist classroom, classrooms, multi-use hall, catering space, outdoor sports pitch, play areas and car parking.
Andrea Cairns, Executive Headteacher, Bramshall Meadows First School, said: “We are delighted to have welcomed the first reception class pupils and nursery children to our fantastic new school.
“Seeing the children arrive and settle in has made for a very exciting start to the new academic year. We are thrilled with the new building and facilities and we look forward to seeing our school community grow.”
Overall, there are 150 places for children aged four to nine-years-old and 26 nursery places for children aged three.
So far, 23 reception pupils and nursery children have joined the school based on Ivinson Way, which will continue to grow as children move up through the year groups.
The single storey educational facility has been built as part of a wider plan by Staffordshire County Council to expand first school provision in Uttoxeter.
This is due to increased demand for places from families moving to new housing in the local area including the Bramshall Meadows estate.
Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education Jonathan Price said: “It’s fantastic that Bramshall Meadows will be opening its doors to pupils, and that these pupils will be starting their school life in a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility.
“We have a duty to ensure there are enough school places to meet growing demand, and this latest school in Uttoxeter has been built to accommodate children from new nearby housing developments. I look forward to seeing the school grow year on year.”
The project is the first to be completed in response to the rise in demand for places within Uttoxeter.
Built by Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson, the first school has been completed through Staffordshire County Council’s capital framework.
Chris Flint, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “It’s wonderful to celebrate the opening of Bramshall Meadows, as it welcomes pupils to a brand-new and high-quality learning facility.
“We’re delighted to have delivered this school, alongside Staffordshire County Council, providing additional school places to meet the needs of a growing local community. We hope pupils love their new school!”