Work underway to create hundreds of new school places in Costessey
Work is underway to create an extra 300 school places at Ormiston Victory Academy in Costessey.
The project, which is in response to growing numbers of houses in the Costessey area, includes the construction of a new stand-alone three storey building and refurbishment of the existing school.
Cllr John Fisher, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, at Norfolk County Council, said: “It’s great to see this building project underway. It will bring much needed school places to the area and support many generations of Costessey children.
“As a council we are investing millions of pounds in developing school places in growing communities, so that children have access to good quality education near to where they live.”
Pentaco Construction has been appointed to undertake the work which is expected to be completed by October 2022.
The building work at Costessey represents £8.1m in investment by the County Council and is one of eight projects to expand existing schools or build new ones around the county.
Sharon Blundell, County Councillor for Costessey said: “I am delighted that Ormiston Victory Academy is finally expanding as it is much needed in the area, due to extra housing developments which have happened over the years, it will also bring much needed improvements to the Richmond Road area and provide a safer area for the pupils.
“I hope the staff and pupils enjoy the new improvements that are being made.”
Planning permission has also been agreed at Sprowston Community Academy, part of the Boudica Schools Trust for an expansion which will create an additional 250 school places.
Pentaco are building the new classrooms at Sprowston, which are due to be completed in September 2022.
John Ward, County Councillor for Sprowston said: “The expansion of Sprowston High School is much needed and is generally welcomed in the local area.
“The new two storey, 14 classbase and library building together with group and staff rooms will be a wonderful addition to the school as will also be, the two new multi-use games areas and the additional car park spaces.”
There are currently eight significant building projects in planning or development stages, to support growing communities across Norfolk.
These are:
• Costessey Ormiston Victory Academy - to expand to 2,100 places in total
• Sprowston Community Academy - to expand to provide additional places
• Blofield Primary - to expand to become a 420 place school and relocate to a new site
• Holt Primary - to expand to become a 420 place school and relocate to a new site
• Cringleford Primary - to create a new 420 place school on a site within new housing development
• Poringland Primary - to create a new 420 place school
• North Norwich High School - to create a new 1000 place high school
• Thetford new primary - to create a new 420 place school on a site within a new housing development