Ground broken on £7m Lichfield primary school
Construction has begun on a new £7m Lichfield school, set to offer 210 primary school and 26 nursery places.
Work by main contractor G F Tomlinson began on the Anna Seward Primary School in August. The 16,000 sq ft site is due for completion next summer with the first cohort of students joining in September.
G F Tomlinson is working alongside Staffordshire County Council, design and project managers Entrust and architects Arc Partnership on the two-storey building. The construction firm is also providing opportunities such as site visits and work experience for local schools.
Once complete Arthur Terry Learning Partnership will manage the school (the 20th in its trust), named after romantic poet and early environmentalist, Anna Seward.
Helen Hastilow, the executive headteacher at the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, said “Anna Seward was known as the ‘Swan of Lichfield’. She was an important local figure who has been remembered through history for her commitment to reading, writing and equality.
“Buried at Lichfield Cathedral, she is synonymous with the city and surrounding area.”
This will be G F Tomlinson’s sixth project for Staffordshire County Council, which is being delivered through the Constructing West Midlands (CWM) Framework, having most recently completed Bramshall Meadows First School in Uttoxeter and Fradley Park Primary School in Lichfield.
Chris Flint, managing director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We feel honoured to be delivering our sixth project for Staffordshire County Council. It’s fantastic to be able to play an important part in increasing more school places in the local area, which are in high demand.
“We’re excited to see the school take shape over the coming months and welcome in a brand-new cohort of students in September next year, as the children embark on their educational journeys.”
Jonathan Price, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “Having planned this school for a while in response to an increased need for primary school places in the area, it is really good to see the progress being made on site.
“It is essential that we continue to plan ahead in response to local housing developments, to ensure there are enough school places to cope with increased demand. I will look forward to seeing how the construction on this school progresses over the coming months.”
Richard Gill CBE, the CEO of academy sponsor Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, commented: “The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership has built a highly-respected reputation for delivering excellence in education to primary and secondary school pupils at our existing schools in Lichfield and beyond. Parents of prospective pupils can expect such high standards at Anna Seward Primary”.
