Preston primary school celebrates new expansion
"It's so welcoming – and that's what it's all about."
That's the verdict of children at Lea Community Primary School on the huge revamp of their school which will see the school's intake gradually double.
As part of the works, six new classrooms have been added to allow for the increased number of children to be welcomed into the school. Additionally, further works have included internal refurbishment and remodelling of a further classroom, library and kitchens.
To top it off, the trim trail has been restored with brand new equipment and all-weather surfacing and a new sensory garden.
The revamp has been carried out in collaboration between Lancashire County Council, Lancashire based construction company Warden Construction and the school over two years, funded by the county council's DfE grant.
It will mean the school will be able to open its doors to an extra 210 pupils in future years, gradually doubling their current intake and allowing children to benefit from the new learning environment and play facilities.
Children from the school are delighted with the new facilities.
Pupil Samaira said: "The new classrooms are so spacious and welcoming, we cannot wait to begin learning in the new rooms.
"There are new toilets and new taps, and I like the views out of the classrooms – you can see the flowers."
Vinny, another pupil, said: "What I like best is that the new classrooms have air conditioning."
Meanwhile, Samuel said: "I like how our desks have got drawers for our English and Maths, and the new classrooms have got beautiful new cupboards for us to put things in for the other things we do."
Children, school staff, governors, County Councillor Matthew Salter, cabinet member for Education and Skills, Lancashire County Council chairman, County Councillor Alf Clempson and representatives from Warden Construction attended the official handover of the new facilities at the school this week.
Headteacher Lynne Slater said:
"The new classrooms demonstrate our unwavering commitment to enhancing our capacity in continuing to provide quality education to meet the growing needs of our pupils and our local community. We are confident that these new spaces will continue to inspire our pupils to excel both personally and academically.
"I extend my gratitude to everyone who contributed to this project, from the design team and builders to our dedicated staff and supportive families. Together, we have created a vibrant setting where future generations of our local community will thrive.
"We are excited about the new possibilities this extension affords us and look forward to our next exciting new chapter in our Lea Community Primary school journey with the increase in available school places providing a significant boost to the local community.”
Councillor Matthew Salter, cabinet member for Education and Skills, said:
"I'm delighted to be attending the official handover of the new facilities at Lea Primary School, and to speak to children and staff first hand about how they welcome these new additions.
"I was impressed with the standard of the new additions and pleased that we are investing in the future.
"This will mean that the school can double its intake, and that more children and families in the local community will be able to enjoy learning here in the coming years."
County Councillor Alf Clempson said:
"I was absolutely thrilled to visit Lea Community Primary School.
"It was a wonderful occasion to mark the opening of some lovely new facilities, and I would like to thank the headteacher and staff and all at the school for welcoming us."
Adrian Atkinson, director of Warden Construction, said:
“This has been an incredibly rewarding project for Warden Construction, delivering beautiful new classrooms and modern, state-of-the-art play facilities, as well as additional social value outcomes.
“These improvements will allow children to fully benefit from the new spaces, and the school will now be able to double its intake, which is a fantastic boost for the community.”