Work to start on new replacement school in Kingshurst

Work is due to start on a brand new replacement school at Yorkswood Primary in Kingshurst this spring – the seventh primary school to be rebuilt in north Solihull in the last decade.

The new build along with three recently remodelled primary schools, marks the completion of Solihull Council’s North Solihull Primary Programme.

In total, over £60m will have been spent improving every primary school in the North Solihull Regeneration Area benefitting over 4,000 children.

At a cost of £5.7m, the new school will replace the current outdated buildings with a modern design and facilities fit for 21st century learning.

The new building will be single storey at the rear of the existing campus off Kingshurst Way accommodating new classrooms, school hall and studio, administration areas, new catering kitchen along with a new multi-use games area and remodelled neighbourhood nursery.

The re-landscaping of the campus will also incorporate the adjacent Capitol House, which has been refurbished to provide a new bespoke community hub.

Due to be completed by Easter 2019, the construction will take place alongside the existing school which will be demolished following relocation into the new building in the summer term.

Following a competitive tender process, the works are being carried out by Interclass PLC which is currently completing the complex remodelling of Windy Arbor Primary School at a cost of over £4m.

Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills, Councillor Ken Meeson said: “Good education in aspirational surroundings is vital to giving children the best start in life and the chance to succeed.

“This is why we have invested so heavily in rebuilding and remodelling schools in the north of the borough and I am delighted that the completion of this programme means we will have modern buildings and teaching facilities for children and young people across all age ranges.

“Not only will the new facilities at Yorkswood enrich the lives of its pupils but the wider local community as well.

“I am sure it will be very exciting for the pupils to see the building work starting and I look forward to the day, next year, when the school opens its new doors to the next generation of pupils.”

Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Managed Growth, Councillor Ian Courts said: “Regeneration is not just about bricks and mortar; it has to improve the lives and opportunities available to the local community which is why our investment in education has been such a top priority in north Solihull.

“I am very proud that all of the primary schools in the North Solihull Regeneration Area have seen significant investment giving pupils the best opportunities possible.

“I hope the new facilities at Yorkwsood Primary bring lasting benefits to the pupils and community for many years to come.”

Andy Tunstall, Head of Yorkswood Primary School said: “Everybody associated with Yorkswood Primary School is delighted that the work on our fantastic new school will begin, this spring.

“A great deal of thought, planning and hard work has gone into the project and we are grateful to Solihull for maintaining their commitment to creating a 21st Century building, fit for our children, staff and the wider community.

“Through projects and events we will keep all stakeholders involved, engaged and informed as the building develops.”

Peter Hood, Construction Director at Interclass plc commented: “Interclass is delighted to secure the Yorkswood Primary School order from Solihull MBC. This £5.7m new build scheme is testament to the continuing strong relationship between Interclass and Solihull MBC, seeing our respective teams successfully deliver 5 projects over the last 3 years.

“This ongoing investment has enabled Interclass to support the creation of local jobs, with 90% of supply chain spend on the projects deriving from within 20 miles of each site, provide new opportunities for apprentices and training and, importantly, drive value back into the local community from the public spend on these construction projects.”

The replacement or remodelling of schools in the north of the borough has been part of a wider investment in the area through the North Solihull Partnership – which has seen the creation of new housing, two new village centres, improvements to local amenities and parks and investment in local enterprise.

Photo: Sod-cutting at Yorkswood Primary School L-R Andy Tunstall, Head of Yorkswood Primary School; Councillor Ken Meeson, Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills; and Peter Hood, Construction Director at Interclass – and image of new Yorkswood Primary School.