Work to build a new state-of-the-art primary school officially got underway yesterday (Monday 17 July).
Backworth Park Primary School, in Shiremoor, will be relocating from its existing site on Station Road to a new location just south of the golf course, within the new housing estate known as Backworth Park.
The new accommodation will provide the school with a larger capacity, and space to expand in the future, if necessary. The new site will also have a playing field, something that the school does not have at its current site.
And to mark the start of work on the new site, Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn paid a visit to the new school site with a group of pupils and the school’s Headteacher, Carol Crerar.
Welcoming the move, Mayor Redfearn said: “Everyone wants the best possible education for their children and I am delighted that here in North Tyneside we have such fantastic schools and high-quality services that we provide for children and young people.
“This new building will allow our staff to improve on the excellent support they currently provide for students and ensure that they have everything they need to reach their full potential in improved, more modern classrooms.
“Our fantastic education system has seen a number of our schools named among the best in the country and this new state-of-the-art school will only improve our reputation.”
Mrs Crerar added: “The children, staff and parents are really looking forward to moving to a purpose-built Backworth Park Primary School, which will provide so many enhanced learning opportunities, especially for sports and outdoor provision.
“It is a most exciting time for the children in our small school to be involved in the shaping of their new premises and we can't wait to see the plans become an actual reality over the next year.”
In July 2014, the council’s cabinet agreed that officers could start negotiations for the new site and property. Following a deferral for 1 year, due to delays to new housing developments, Metnor Construction of Killingworth has now been appointed by Northumberland Estates, to begin the construction phase of this exciting development.
Barry Spall, Development Planner from The Northumberland Estates said “We are delighted to be involved in the delivery of these much needed new primary school facilities at Backworth. We envisage the new school being at the heart of the local community as the new residential development planned for the area progresses.
“A local construction team has been selected to work on the project which gets off to a great start today with the official backing of the Mayor and council.
“Working as a team with North Tyneside Council and partners we look forward to completing the new school building ready for occupation in September 2018.”
Paul Salkeld, Contract Manager for Metnor Construction, said: “As a North Tyneside based business, located only 2.5 miles from site, we are excited to be part of a project that will support our local community.
“We are looking forward to developing new relationships with all parties involved in the scheme and we relish the challenge this project presents.”
Formed in 2002, Metnor Construction Ltd, is one of four divisions within the Metnor Group and achieved recognition at the 2017 Constructing Excellence Awards (CENE) for outstanding economic growth having nearly doubled its turnover from £35 million to £60 million during 2015-2016.
The new building is scheduled to open in September of 2018. For more information, call the Strategic Investment and Property team on (0191) 643 8074.
ENDS