Construction of new Hampton primary school shifts up a gear

Building installation work has begun on an all-new primary school in Hampton, Peterborough, the City Council has announced.

The foundations were laid for the St John Henry Newman Roman Catholic Primary School and Nursery last year, but now the buildings themselves are beginning to take shape.

Located on Aqua Drive, Hampton Water, the site is being worked on by Eco Modular Buildings, an East Yorkshire-based firm specialising in the supply and installation of cost-effective, environmentally-friendly prefabricated buildings.

Each section of the building was constructed at Eco Modular’s headquarters in Hull and then transported 116 miles to the Hampton Water site.

Towards the end of January, the company installed 39 of the 109 building sections which will eventually make up the entire school – the first of its kind in Peterborough.

The remainder of the school is set to be assembled over the coming weeks ahead of its September opening, when it will welcome nursery, reception, year 1 and 2 children through its doors.

Years 3 to 6 will follow in the coming years, allowing the school to fulfil its maximum capacity of 630 pupils.

Peterborough City Council says that the school’s modular construction offers a number of benefits, including ‘decreased waste, a reduced site period and reduced site traffic, ensuring less disruption for local residents.’

Founder and CEO of Eco Modular Buildings, Simon Rawson, said: “This is an exciting project and we have been working collaboratively with Peterborough City Council, The Diocese of East Anglia and the Department for Education over the course of 2020/21.

“It’s exciting to be moving into the installation phase and we very much look forward to handing over a beautiful school ready for the first intake in September 2022. We’re certain the school will be enjoyed by young learners for many years to come.”

Helen Bates from the Diocese of East Anglia, which will be running the school, said: “As the first brand new Catholic school to be built in the country for more than 10 years, this is an important and exciting project for Catholic education nationally and we are delighted to see construction progressing.

“St John Henry Newman will be a Catholic school serving its local community, and we very much look forward to welcoming all children to our new school in September 2022.”

Councillor Lynne Ayres, Peterborough City Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, education, skills and the university, said: “This is a unique project which ties in with the council’s bid to be carbon neutral by 2030. We’re all looking forward to the school opening its doors this year.”

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