New £4million school to be built between Horsham and Crawley

Warninglid Primary School governors have welcomed news that their pupils will be amongst the first to attend the new Woodgate Primary School, when it opens in September 2021.

The new-build school in Pease Pottage will offer state of the art classrooms, early years nursery provision, a 18m2 main hall, library, multifunctional space and a special educational needs room.

Work is set to begin in July with the school opening to its first pupils at the beginning of the 2021-22 year.

Bob Clark, chair of governors at Warninglid, said: “We are delighted that formal West Sussex County Council approval has been given for the relocation of Warninglid Primary School to the brand-new building on Thakeham Homes’ new Woodgate development at Pease Pottage in September 2021.

“Everyone at Warninglid is looking forward to this exciting new development. Woodgate Primary School will retain our current highly-valued school ethos.

“We’ll preserve the full complement of pupils, staff and governors who will bring a fully-functioning school community to the Woodgate development.”

The news follows two full consultations on the future of Warninglid primary, a school rated as Good by Ofsted but in a location no longer able to fill the school with local children.

The move, just five miles, will provide primary school places for current and new family residents.

Rob Boughton, chief executive officer of the Thakeham Group, said: “We are delighted that the new primary school will be completed at an early stage of the Woodgate development. This is our chance to retain the spirit of Warninglid whilst inspiring the next generation with a vibrant new learning environment.

“Thakeham are funding and building the new £4 million Woodgate Primary School at an early stage of the Woodgate development. This means that the first families will enjoy a crucial role in building a thriving new community.”

Woodgate includes 619 new homes, a shop and a coffee shop, a community centre, village green, parks and a pavilion.

The development will also provide a new home for Crawley’s St Catherine’s Hospice.

New families moving into the area will be able to apply to attend Warninglid Primary School for the 2020/21 school year. Applications are welcome through WSCC admissions. Warninglid currently has spaces in all year groups.

The school will be able to accommodate families with children at all primary ages. This means that siblings will be able to attend the same school whilst waiting for Woodgate Primary School to open.

Parents wanting more information can contact the headteacher at Warninglid on 01444 461329 or visit the website.

More information about Woodgate, including infrastructure and the wide-range of community facilities, is available online.

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