Plans approved for St Helens school revamp

Plans to redevelop Ashurst Primary School in St Helens have today been given the go ahead which will create room for over 200 extra pupils.

Money will be spent to upgrade the 1970s Ashurst Primary School building giving it extra room for new pupils and those with special educational needs.

St Helens Borough Council’s planning committee has given the project the green light with work expected to commence in the autumn.

The council say the redevelopment will increase classroom capacity and provide support to children with special educational needs.

They add, the new facility will also be more environmentally friendly by being better insulated therefore reducing carbon emissions.

Phase one of the project will see the creation of the new school building for up to 240 pupils and take approximately 56-weeks to complete.

Phase two will then take a further 33-weeks and involve carefully taking down the existing school to create the replacement play areas, as well as enhanced car parking provision.

Welcoming the decision, Councillor Kate Groucutt, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Business, said:

“With very limited government funding provided to the council for rebuilding our schools, every year we have to make difficult decisions about how we allocate capital budgets, but the case for rebuilding Ashurst Primary School was very strong. I'm confident the new building will support the learning and development of the children who attend the school, and be a facility that the school community can be proud of."

Commenting on the redevelopment, Ashurst Primary School Headteacher, Lisa Houghton, said:

"We are delighted to be having a new facility that will ensure the very best learning environment for our children to thrive and achieve their potential. The new modern building will provide the resources to support all our children on their educational journey, helping them to flourish and achieve 'excellence everyday'. Staff and children at Ashurst are excited for the building work to commence."

Work on the new school is expected to start in the Autumn, with a construction management plan implemented to minimise disruption to pupils, teachers, parents and local residents during the development works.

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