A key milestone has been passed in the construction of a new £7m Nerrols primary school in Taunton.
The main phase of work has started on the Somerset County Council project – the new 14-class, 420-pupil Nerrols School which is due to open in September 2019.
Today (13th December) there was a bolt-tightening ceremony at the Nerrols Drive site in the north of the town to mark this key stage of construction, by contractor Willmott Dixon.
Work began on the site in the summer, next to a planned 630-house development being built by Barratt and David Wilson Homes. The first phase of 260 homes is currently under construction.
Nearby is the newly named Somerset Wood – where 14,000 trees are being planted over 23 acres as part of new country park.
The school, which is being built to meet the increasing need for primary places in north Taunton, will initially offer 30 reception places and a nursery for two to four-year-olds. Other years will be rolled out in stages, eventually taking the school to its 420-pupil capacity.
Nerrols School is part of the Richard Huish Trust of academies.
Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Transformation, Faye Purbrick, said: “Our ongoing school building and improvement programme is about ensuring our children have new or expanded school buildings that meet their needs and the needs of our communities for generations to come.”
“We remain committed to improving and enhancing the lives of all children in Somerset, whatever their abilities and challenges.”
Mike Snowden, Executive Headteacher at Nerrols, said: “I have been a headteacher for almost 15 years and this project has proved to be one of the most exciting and professionally fulfilling roles I have undertaken.”
“Having this fantastic new school building and grounds will absolutely ensure that together we deliver the Richard Huish Trust’s vision to create a stimulating and enriching environment based on the enjoyment of learning, which is also a safe space for children to thrive.
“I am very much looking forward to the future of this new school and the community it serves.”
The state-of-the-art school is on a 2.7 acre site and will boast a 3G sports pitch, with classrooms and facilities spread over two floors. The frame main structure of the building will be complete by Christmas, with work on the roof due to start in the New Year.
Rob Woolcock, Director of Willmott Dixon said: ‘Today was about celebrating the journey we have come so far and of course looking forward to the next phase of the project.”
“We know that this school will become a focal point for residents and we are pleased to be helping create this fantastic new learning environment for local children”
Stay up to date with more Taunton News, Taunton Events and Taunton Jobs
Please Wait...