Pupils and staff celebrate completion of new nursery at Grange Primary School

1 November 2017

Parents, children, staff and governors have come together to celebrate the completion of Grange Primary School's brand new buildings.  The school is one of many that have been expanded and remodelled as part of Southwark Council’s school expansion programme to create 3000 additional school places across Southwark.

The £8m investment at Grange Primary School by Southwark Council  comprises a complete renovation of the existing Victorian school with new learning satellite classrooms, a designated early years playground and a brand new building. The new building comprises a new school hall, state of the art kitchen, a nursery, library and office accommodation.

The school has been remodelled to make better use of the existing layout. Each year group will have ownership of an entire wing on each floor of the school. Each wing of the school has two dedicated main classrooms for each form and then a shared satellite classroom, along with cloakroom and bathroom facilities.

The satellite classrooms offer a vibrant space dedicated to creative or messy activities, giving teaching staff the flexibility to move between activities thus maximising valuable learning and teaching time.

The nursery and reception classrooms open out into a new dedicated playground space that will be specifically designed for younger children, promoting development of gross motor skills, creative play and areas for calm retreat. Outdoor space at Grange Primary School is intended to provide the whole school with a resource that will enhance the teaching, learning and play opportunities for all members of the school community.

As of September 2018, Grange Primary School will have the space to welcome sixty children into its reception class. Thanks to this expansion, the school has increased its capacity to now accommodate two classes in every teaching year.

At the heart of the new school building is the double height Albert McKenzie Hall. Named after a local WW1 hero, the hall now provides enhanced dining facilities and space for the whole school to come together for assembly.

Cabinet Member for Children and Education, Cllr Victoria Mills said: “It is great to see another one of the schools that we have invested in as part of our expansion programme welcome children back into their renovated classrooms.

“It has been fantastic to hear from parents, teachers and the children themselves about how the improvements to the school have had such a positive impact on school life already.”

Maddy Webb Co-Headteacher said: “I know I speak for the whole Grange community when I say that we are all thrilled with the work that has been done on the school and we wish to thank everyone involved for their commitment to improving opportunities for Southwark children."

Diana Valcheva Co-Headteacher added: "I want to echo the points Maddy made and also say that the new development of the school is fantastic. We are all thrilled that our children will be able to enjoy the exciting and stimulating learning environment they deserve."

Page last updated: 01 November 2017

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