Publication Date: 08-11-2024 09:00
Kennett Community Primary School staff and pupils move into new state-of-the-art building
Staff and pupils at Kennett Primary School have moved into a new purpose-built building within a housing development being delivered by Bellway.
The new school, off Howe Hill Road in Kennett Garden Village, has eight classrooms, each with their own outside space, a dedicated science, technology, engineering and mathematics space, playing fields and a staff car park. It opened to pupils on Monday (4 November).
Kennett Garden Village is a sustainable, high-quality neighbourhood which has been planned to include 500 homes as well as large areas of green open space and community infrastructure. Bellway Eastern Counties is building 160 homes within The Ferns at Kennett Garden Village, while Ashberry Homes, which is part of the Bellway Group, is delivering 164 homes at Lark’s Place at Kennett Garden Village.
The new school funded by developer contributions. In total, Bellway contributed £4.5 million to the project.
Scott Horsley, headteacher at Kennett Primary School, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Bellway for the significant part they have played in making this dream move to a new school building come true. It really is a fantastic space for members of our school community.
“Everyone is very excited about our new chapter in this fabulous new building and location, which was designed with input from us here at the school. There is much more room on our new school site which means we benefit from a number of new features including a dedicated science, technology, engineering and mathematics space and classrooms with their own designated ‘garden’ areas.
“The school’s former site was built in 1865, and it is with some sadness that we leave our original building behind. Through the curriculum, we have investigated historical events that have taken place since 1865; this has given our children a better understanding of chronology and the history of the place we have moved from.”
Bellway Eastern Counties Sales Manager Marrissa Gale, who visited the new school on Wednesday (6 November), said: “We are proud to have played a role in the delivery of a new custom-built school to give children in the village the best start to their education. It is good to know that the pupils will be studying in, and the staff teaching in, a modern environment which has been specifically designed to suit their needs.
“There were no playing fields on the former school site and Scott has told us that the staff and pupils are all excited about being able to get out to enjoy sport as part of the curriculum much more easily.
“The school fields at the new school site also feature an all-weather walking track around the space so that all of the children can enjoy exercise outside even through the winter months.”
Bellway has already established a good working relationship with the school, having previously donated £1,000 for library books, as well as a set of hi-vis jackets.
For more information about the new homes being built at The Ferns at Kennett Garden Village, call the sales team on 01638 438070 or visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/eastern-counties/the-ferns-at-kennett-garden-village.
