New school works press ahead
Work on the new school at Kingsway, Gloucestershire’s fastest growing homes, jobs and leisure destination on the A38 south of Gloucester is progressing well.
The school, officially named Kingsway Primary school at a recent special ceremony, is beginning to take shape on a land plot at the heart of the development.
Contractors Malvern- based Speller-Metcalfe, report rapid progress in all sectors of construction.
Says the firm’s Adrian Speller, “Our construction team continues to deliver an excellent and eye-catching addition to the new Kingsway development.
This month the internal scaffolding has been dropped, and the graceful curves of the naturally lit learning spaces have become apparent. Brilliantly red render has been seared onto the external walls, whilst eco-friendly design additions such as the naturally ventilating ‘wind catchers’ and solar heat panels have been installed.
The sports pitch and playgrounds have also begun to take shape, with landscaping commencing to create a superb external environment for the school.
As we move through the summer, we’re confident that we’ll present a building that will not only serve as a first class school, but will add a real ‘wow’ factor to the local community.”
The building reflects the spirit of the old RAF depot, which once operated on the Kingsway development. The eye-catching roof shapes are angled and reflect aeroplane wings, whilst extensive glass features throughout the building.
It is light and airy and planned in such a way that many classrooms look out onto attractive courtyards. The school is also being built of environmentally sustainable materials, and features roof solar panels for heating water within the building.
As much attention is also being paid to the immediate environs of the school as it is to the building itself.
There are to be playing fields and a specially planned and prepared area where children can experience, enjoy and learn about the many aspects of wildlife and nature.
The new school building, which covers some 2,000 square metres, has been designed by Gloucester-based Architects, Quattro Design.
The £4m+ works are being carried by the Speller-Metcalfe company for QUVL, the company operating Kingsway on behalf of leading UK builders Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon and Commercial development company, the Cheltenham based Robert Hitchins Group.
A second primary school is also planned on Kingsway at a later stage of the development.
The school is part of a provision of £6.6m, which has been made to assist with education by QUVL for Kingsway, which also includes a contribution towards secondary education provision in the City of Gloucester.
As well as building the new schools on the development, money is being made available for secondary education for extra provision within the schools directly serving the south Gloucester area, which includes the new Kingsway development.
Says Nicki Reed, Kingsway Marketing Committee Chairman, “These are fast developing times at Kingsway. Occupations now top 700 and there are an excellent range of homes for sale on Neighbourhoods 2 and 3, the new development areas.
Work is underway on the new Business Park and on the Local Centre with its shops and public house, which is being developed by the conversion and extension of barns and outbuildings around the historic Manor Farm at the heart of Kingsway.”