New school opens in Great Yarmouth
It cost ÂŁ7million
Learning has taken a major leap forward for hundreds of schoolchildren in Great Yarmouth after the formal opening of their new ÂŁ7 million primary school.
North Denes Primary is a new two-storey school with capacity for 420 children. It has 14 bright, modern classrooms, a multi-purpose hall, a full kitchen, a comprehensive library, large sports fields and playgrounds.
The school has photovoltaic panels on the roof and is a naturally ventilated, energy efficient, environmentally friendly building with a landscaped site and a new pond and wildlife area.
Headteacher Debbie Whiting said:
"We are absolutely delighted with our new school, the children have been so excited.
"The building and its grounds provide everything we need in order for them to learn and really enjoy being in school, and I'm sure many generations of children will benefit from what it has to offer for years to come.
"The children and all our staff feel very proud and privileged."
Cllr John Fisher, cabinet member for Children's Services, said:
"These new facilities are just fantastic for the children, staff and wider community in north Yarmouth and shows our commitment to the education of children in the town.
"The county council has worked hard to support this growing community by investing in this modern energy efficient school, big enough so all the primary aged children in the area can go to the same school together.
"It's really pleasing to see the finished building and see how happy all the children and staff are in their new environment."
The school was built by Morgan Sindall Construction working closely with building designer NPS.
Alister Broadberry, area director for Morgan Sindall Construction's Eastern Counties, said:
"We're really proud to have worked on this project, which is already providing a high-quality, engaging and sustainable educational environment for children in the north Yarmouth area.
"Creating a site with nature and green building practises at its core means that not only is the new North Denes Primary a great place for children to learn, but it also ensures that the community's future generations will benefit from an efficient, environmentally friendly school for many years to come."
Building work to completely change the large site in Jellicoe Road started in September 2019. The new school was built while children and staff continued to use the existing 1930s school building on the southern side of the site.
After just over a year the children and staff moved across the playing field into the new school after October half term. The old school was then demolished and is now a lush green area.
The project was delivered as part of the county council's ÂŁ169 million investment programme to meet the demand for school places in growing communities across the county.