Major improvements completed at Pennycross Primary School
Staff and pupils at Pennycross Primary School celebrated the official opening of their newly expanded school building on Thursday.
Almost three million pounds worth of improvements have been carried out at the school which included a brand new two-storey extension with eight classrooms (four to each floor), stores, toilets, group rooms and a new hard play area.
The works were needed due to new housing developments in the area which meant the current school didn’t have enough space for all of its 315 pupils.
Council Leader Tudor Evans said: “Ham has seen so much investment in new and improved housing over the last few years but the schools haven’t expanded at the same rate. These works provide much needed new space and I am really pleased that the children are benefiting for these new facilities which is adding excitement to their learning.”
The City Council has invested £2.988m from the capital investment programme which includes £849,907 from section 106 funding, which has been generated by the housing developments in the area.
Head teacher at Pennycross Carole Waziri said: “This extension will raise the profile of Pennycross within the community and will enable us to grow alongside the increasing community. We are very excited that this project is now completed.”
The improvement works to the school have been carried out by Exeter based Devon Contractors.
This contract was JCT Design & Build 2011 and the only access was by going through the existing school grounds. This meant that extensive site and traffic management plans were put in place to ensure there was as little disruption as possible to the school, as well as maintaining the safety of the pupils and staff at all times as a priority.
Peter Alderson, Construction Director – Devon Contractors said: “Devon Contractors have worked with Plymouth City Council on many projects in the past, and we were delighted to be awarded this contract as part of the Basic Need Projects across Plymouth. The new building was handed over at the end of November 2017 and has helped to make a real difference to the school, and we are very proud to have been the main contractor on this project.”
Council Evans added: “We are very proud of our schools and investing in their future is essential if we are to maintain our high standards and encourage families to raise their children in Plymouth. Our ultimate aim is that no matter where a child lives, they can expect excellent education from a first class local school.”