Construction work has finished on a new £8m school in Edwalton described as an 'inspiring place for generations of primary school children to learn'.
Providing 315 school places in total, and a 26-place nursery, Rosecliffe Spencer Academy is part of the vast new Sharphill housing estate, off the A52 near the Wheatcroft roundabout, where developers have already built hundreds of homes, with more planned in the future.
What has been described as a 'temporary village' was built so the school could open last September, with the idea being students and teachers could move into the new building in January.
Councillor Philip Owen, chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee, said: “It is excellent news that the new school is ready ahead of schedule, particularly given the extra challenges that the coronavirus presents.
“One of our key priorities is that every child should attend a good or outstanding school, and I am confident that the Spencer Academies Trust can help us achieve that, giving primary school children the best possible education, and giving them the skills and knowledge they need for the future."
Inside the two-storey, 22,066 sq ft main building are nine classrooms, offices, a new hall and kitchen.
Four outdoor sports pitches have also been created alongside a soft play area, tarmac playground, and a garden for nursery pupils.
A new car park has also been built for parents and staff with 35 spaces, including two for disabled use and two for electric vehicle charging.
The academy currently has 98 pupils enrolled.
Local resident Thomas Greaves, 30, an engineer who lives just down from the site said the school was needed.
"The other side of Melton Road there are 1,500 (houses) due to be built in the next four years, so it's a lot of kids."
Morgan Sindall Construction handed over the £8 million school seven weeks ahead of schedule. The main contractor was appointed by Arc Partnership, a joint venture between the county council and public sector procurement authority SCAPE.
The project took 55 weeks from start to finish.
Rob Cant, framework director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “We are really pleased to have completed this state-of-the-art new primary school in collaboration with Arc Partnership.
"That our project team has completed ahead of schedule, despite the challenges posed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, is testament to both everyone involved and the collaborative culture supported by the framework procurement route.
“The modern new school is designed with future expansion in mind.
"It will be an inspiring place for generations of primary school children to learn in and support the sustainable growth of communities living in the area.”
Daniel Maher, Arc Partnership managing director, added: “I am proud to have delivered this important school for a new community with Morgan Sindall."
