Milestone at new school on old Peterborough District Hospital site

A topping out ceremony marked the highest point of construction for the new primary school being built on the former Peterborough District Hospital site.
Topping out ceremony at the new West Town school site at Thorpe Road. PCC leader John Holdich with school principal Jane Dooley with Kier staff and guests. EMN-160524-135822009Topping out ceremony at the new West Town school site at Thorpe Road. PCC leader John Holdich with school principal Jane Dooley with Kier staff and guests. EMN-160524-135822009
Topping out ceremony at the new West Town school site at Thorpe Road. PCC leader John Holdich with school principal Jane Dooley with Kier staff and guests. EMN-160524-135822009

The new building is on schedule to open in October 2016 to allow West Town Primary Academy to relocate and expand from its existing site on Williamson Avenue.

It will provide places for 630 pupils - double the number at the existing site - and the school will increase the admission number for reception children from 45 to 90 from September 2017.

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The £6 million Education Funding Agency project is part of the Government’s Priority Schools Building Programme that addresses the needs of schools most in need of repair. The building works are being carried out by Kier Construction.

The council has also contributed an additional £2 million towards associated works including the retention and restoration of the Memorial Hospital and highway improvements. These costs are not covered as part of the Priority Schools Building Programme.

Councillor John Holdich, leader of the council and cabinet member for education, skills and university, said: “The topping out ceremony of the new primary school is an exciting milestone in its development.

“Everyone involved in the project is pleased to see the building really taking shape and I look forward to when it opens later in the year.”

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Dennis Cotton, Operations Director for Kier, added: “I am proud of the work that the team has undertaken to top out at West Town Primary Academy after only seven months on site. It’s a credit to the hard work and commitment of everyone involved.”

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