Lakenham Primary School celebrates its first birthday

Added: 07/07/2008
Category: Norfolk County Council

Pupils at one of Norwich's newest primary schools are to celebrate their first year in the new £5m building.

Children at Lakenham Primary School will join parents, teachers, governors and local residents as they celebrate the anniversary of their school's completion.

The event, which will take place on Saturday 5 July, will include a fete and an official opening ceremony, led by Norfolk County Council Chairman Wyndham Northam.

The school was completed in summer 2007 as part of Norfolk County Council's Norwich Schools PFI Project.

The £79m scheme, which is a joint venture with Kier Project Investment Ltd and Dexia Public Finance, also saw the opening of Heartsease Primary School in September 2007 and the completion of a major extension project at Taverham High School in May 2008. Bluebell Primary School, Milecross Primary School and Lionwood Junior School will also open this year.

The new Lakenham Primary School was built on the site of the existing middle school and was created as part of the reorganisation of schools in the Norwich area. Since September all pupils in Norwich have transferred to high school at the age of 11 and middle and first schools have been replaced with infant, junior and primary schools.

Oriana Dalton, headteacher at the school, said: “I am delighted to be celebrating the official opening of Lakenham Primary School which marks a new chapter for education in Lakenham."

Lakenham Primary School was designed by Aedas Architects and built by Kier Eastern. It has 14 classrooms, a nursery, hall, library and multi-use games area.

Rosalie Monbiot, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: “ This is fantastic new school is already making a difference to the children of Lakenham and I know it will benefit many future generations to come.

“This project shows our commitment to Norwich's children and our determination to raise standards even further in the city. There is evidence that pupils' learning environment can have a direct impact on their attainment and this state-of-the-art school can help to inspire our young people to succeed.

“Wherever possible we are investing in the county's schools to provide children with a welcoming and effective place to learn.”

Robert Olley, Kier Eastern project manager, said: "We are delighted to have been involved in this exciting project. It was the first school Kier Eastern built in Norwich under the PFI project, and was a successful template for the second phase of the scheme. It was a really enjoyable job for the whole site team."

The celebration will take place from 11am to 2pm, with year 6 pupils leading a tour of the school at 11.30am. The official opening will take place at 11am.

The school will also be running its first summer fair. Attractions include a fire engine, bouncy castle, coconut shy and the opportunity to throw a sponge at an unlucky member of staff. There will also be numerous stalls, plus the chance to to participate in the “Silly Olympics”.