Building work on the new school at Kingsway - Gloucestershire’s fastest growing homes, jobs and leisure destination - is now pressing ahead.
Last Friday, Gloucestershire County Councillor, Jackie Hall, supported by representatives of the various companies involved in the project, gave the building works an official send-off at a special ceremony on the new school site, which is at the heart of the burgeoning Kingsway development.
The £4m+ works are being carried by Speller-Metcalfe of Malvern for QUVL Ltd, the company operating Kingsway on behalf of leading UK builders Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon and Commercial development company, the Cheltenham based Robert Hitchins Group.
The plan is for the first pupils to be at their desks in the new school by September next year.
Said Jackie, “Kingsway is certainly growing and becoming the county’s fastest growing new development area - with hundreds of homes already occupied and further development now pressing ahead, we need, as soon as possible, to bring on stream the many vital facilities such as this school to serve this exciting new community.”
Local Parish Councillor, Julian Powell, and Chairman of the new school Board of Governors, added his voice. “The local area really wants to see this new school open as soon as possible - there is also much local anticipation regarding the not-too-distant availability of playing field areas to service this locality.”
Adrian Speller and Tony Shaw of Speller-Metcalfe are to mastermind the new building programme.
Says Adrian, “We have, of course, a very clear schedule of works and we’re well aware how much the completion of this new school is being anticipated in this fast growing area.”
Added Tony, “We’re making excellent progress and it won’t be too long before the structure of this new building will be clearly visible to the residents here. We’re confident we’ll have the school ready for its first term next year.”
The new school building, which covers some 2,000 square metres, has been designed by Gloucester-based architects, Quattro Design.
Says designer Linda Martin, “In terms of its design, the building reflects the spirit of the old RAF depot that used to operate here. It has angled roof shapes that mirror aeroplane wings and there glass is being used extensively 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 being built of environmentally sustainable materials and features roof solar panels for heating water within the building.
We have tried to produce the kind of environment that will in every respect stimulate and encourage all of Kingsway’s future young children in their work and play.”
As much attention is also being paid to the immediate environs of the school. There are to be playing fields around the building and a specially planned and prepared area where children can experience, enjoy and learn about the many aspects of wildlife and nature. The new Kingsway school is a Two Form Entry Primary School taking children from Reception Class to Year 6 (4-11 year olds).
Hundreds of people are already living on Kingsway’s Neighbourhood 1 and more new homes are now available for sale on Neighbourhoods 2 and 3 - two new areas of development.
Alongside the building of the new school, development work is also to begin building Kingsway’s Local Centre and Business Park. The Local Centre is to include a Sainsbury's store and a pub restaurant to be operated by Marstons and developed in outbuildings of the historic Manor Farm, which is located at the heart of Kingsway.
Around Manor Farm extensive landscaping works are now being carried out to restore a unique historic orchard and a moat. These are to form an exciting leisure, open space and play amenity for the residents of Kingsway.
Added Andrew Poole, Kingsway’s Principal Project Manager, “The new school is much anticipated by those living on the development now. It is an exciting, attractive, original and modern building, very much in step with everything that is going on here, all of which is serving to make Kingsway the ultimate modern day living environment.”
Said Nicki Reed, Chairman of the QUVL Marketing Committee “These are exciting times at our new Kingsway community and excellent progress is being made in all areas. The first round of developed areas of Kingsway are already looking established and attractive and the much-anticipated work, leisure and shopping amenities are proceeding with all speed.
Kingsway’s reputation as the place within the whole of the Mid West where people can enjoy the ultimate 21st century living environment will surely continue to grow as we enter the challenging third year of development for this up to the minute destination.”