Hobson & Porter, Innovation based on tradition

Kingsway School headmaster Liam Jackson (left) and H&P site manager Brian Wilson

A local primary school is undertaking a million pound makeover to help improve services for pupils for years to come.

After waiting for more than two years for the work to commence, the building work at Kingsway Primary School finally got under way at the beginning of August.

The building work is expected to be completed by June, 2010 and will see the complete refurbishment of every classroom. Other work being carried out includes new toilet facilities for pupils and staff, the installation of a new heating system, a new ceiling for the school hall, a new main entrance to the school reception area with a glass dome, a medical room, disabled toilet, special needs room and a whole new Foundation Stage Unit, including areas for nursery and reception children. The new unit will also have a ready-made outdoor play area built so that learning can take place in and out of the classroom.

Head teacher Liam Jackson said: "This is great news for the school, as we have had many false starts over the last two years. We met with the contractors, Hobson & Porter, during the first week of the school holidays and, within a week, they had set up their offices in the school grounds. Things are moving very quick, although the build is not due to be completed until the middle of June next year.

"Our three old and falling-apart mobile classrooms will be demolished at the end of the project so that, at long last, everyone will be based within the main school building. How fantastic is that? Basically, it ticks off every single job that needed to be done to bring the building up to date."

The school realises there will be significant disruption throughout the building work but is assuring parents and pupils that the improvements will be worth it as little work has been done to the school since it opened in 1953.

Mr Jackson added: "The day-to-day work with the children will not be affected, though, and in fact the build will lead to the children doing extra work following the build by taking photographs, keeping diaries and regularly updating our websites. The disruption will be more about parents and staff using the other school entrance instead, losing much of our parking for the duration of the build, although the five-a-side pitch will also have to be turned into temporary car parking."

Letters are being sent out to owners of neighbouring properties and to parents explaining the changes, so that the school is prepared for a smooth start to the new term in September.

"This is the largest and most exciting project undertaken at Kingsway and, at a cost just under £2 million, will finally leave us with a school fit for the long-term future that everyone connected with the school will really love to work and be educated in for many years to come," said Mr Jackson.

Article courtesy of Goole Times