Design unveiled for £11m Bognor school

The primary school will replace the existing The Glade infants and Michael Ayres junior schools in the biggest education scheme of its kind around the town for at least three decades.

The first of the new school's 630 pupils are expected to settle down for their initial lessons in September 2010.

The design for the building, as yet unnamed, was published this weekafter being agreed by a panel of county councillors.

County councillor Simon McDougall (41), a former pupil of The Glade and Michael Ayres between 1971-78, was one of those who supported the scheme.

He said: "This is a very exciting time to be the county councillor for that area.

"The new school is a very well designed building. Certainly, the interests of the pupils and their learning is of paramount importance and the two existing headteachers have put a lot of thought into the new school."

The new school is set to be built on the South Way location of Michael Ayres on the Bognor Regis Community College campus.

Cllr McDougall, who is a governor of Michael Ayres, said residents around South Way should notice improved traffic conditions once the new school was opened.

More parking spaces were being provided and a one-way system put into operation to improve safety in the area.

The chance to amalgamate The Glade and Michael Ayres, with 526 pupils between them, has arisen because the best site for a new Bognor Regis Community College is on the current site of The Glade.

John Dixon, the county council's executive director adults and children, said in a report to the councillors that the new primary school would have 21 classrooms from reception to year six pupils.

It would also have a single nursery class, learning resource areas, halls, a studio space, a specialist area, as well as admin block and staff rooms.

Its total area would be 3,600sq m.

"Each classroom on the ground floor opens directly out into an area of hard play," he stated.

"The schools' existing play equipment will be re-located where possible.

"New habitat, hard and suitable soft play zones have been identified where they best respond to the existing site and the school's particular curriculum needs."

Most of the new school's cost '“ 10.6m '“ is being met by a government grant.

The rest will come from the schools' contributions as well as from the county council.

What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP