CHELMSLEY WOOD is heralding an ‘exciting new era for education’ following the opening of two new schools this week.
The new-look Fordbridge Community Primary School and Coleshill Heath Primary School opened on Monday, September 7 in time to welcome pupils for the coming acadmic year.
As well as providing education in brand new buildings, the schools, which cost £18 million to build, will provide two school nurseries, two neighbourhood nurseries, two adult learning centres, plus sports pitches and three multi-use games areas (MUGAs).
Welcoming the new developments, Rob Fletcher, headteacher at Fordbridge Community Primary School, said: “After watching the rapid progress of the building work, it’s wonderful to be able to begin the current academic year in a brand new school with superb, modern facilities, which are an amazing boost to our education resources.
“A new term can sometimes be a nervous time for pupils but I’m sure this will be the most highly anticipated and exciting start to a school term for all our children and staff.”
The schools each have places for 540 pupils and 40 full-time nursery children, while the two neighbourhood nurseries will both offer full day care for up to 130 children in total.
There will also be ‘Wraparound’ facilities for before and after school activities, while both adult learning centres will have community spaces.
The schools are the fifth and sixth new primary schools built since 2008 as part of the North Solihull Partnership’s 10-school education investment programme, which has seen £60 million invested in replacing or refurbishing all the primary schools in the North of the borough, alongside new village centres at Chelmund’s Cross and Smith’s Wood.
And Solihull Council argue the opening of Fordbridge Community Primary School and Coleshill Heath Primary School is ‘further proof’ of its commitment to providing education facilities to local children and continued investment in communities in the north of the borough.
Nicole Fowles, headteacher at Coleshill Heath Primary School, said the new school facilities were was a ‘wonderful way’ to start term.
She added: “Not only will this building help provide a first-class learning experience for children, it will also become a valuable resource for people across the local area and further strengthen community spirit as we endeavour to provide the service this community needs and deserves.
“This building represents both hope for the future and a legacy that will stand the test of time.”
