This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
A ceremony to mark the start of the construction of the new Gatten and Lake Primary School is to take place tomorrow (Thursday 18 October).
The new school is being built on the school’s former detached playing field and will provide modern facilities for 210 children.
The ground breaking ceremony takes place on Thursday 18 October at 1.30pm. It will be attended by representatives from the school, Isle of Wight Council and the construction company carrying out the works, Willmott Dixon. Councillor David Williams will break the earth on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council.
The new Gatten and Lake Primary School is a pre-designed ‘Sunesis’ project – this is a cost effective way of building a new school to an adjustable traditional-build template, but with individual features.
Once complete the school will include a large central street contains learning support spaces and a main hall which opens onto the street. This allows the whole school to be used as a large flexible zone, maximising the available teaching space. The Sunesis Keynes design lends itself to a variety of learning modes, from traditional teaching through to independent learning.
The classrooms will be organised in pairs around shared toilet and cloakroom provision. Each classroom will have easy access to outside play areas, which have been carefully designed to provide interesting external learning zones.
Councillor Dawn Cousins, cabinet member for children’s services and education, said: “I am delighted that work is starting on this new school for the local community which will provide modern, spacious facilities in which our school children can thrive.
“We have worked in partnership with the school and local community to develop a very energy efficient learning environment which will serve our young people for many years to come, I thank everyone concerned for their efforts in developing this exciting project.”
The building is due to be completed by mid-May 2013.
