Page 15 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • September 2009 15
New era for Millbrook

Children and parents living in Freshbrook and Grange Park have the chance to visit the area’s brand new primary school on Tuesday 8 Sep-
tember, the day before Millbrook Primary School opens in its new premises.
The long low building, on the who welcomed us in the middle for
footprint of one of the old Fresh- whole school assemblies.”
brook primary buildings, provides She paid tribute to colleagues
for a one and a half form entry. At at Swindon Council and Swindon
2,650 square metres it is larger than Commercial Services project leader
average so that two forms of entry Chris Hendry and his team who
could be accepted in the future. ensured the building process went
The school has a large hall with smoothly.
sound absorbing panels and theatre Freshbrook Playgroup will move
lighting, with a second smaller hall into the community facilities in
complete with full length mirrors to September when a programme of
double up as a dance studio. activities and adult learning courses
Windows will be electrically con- will start.
trolled for good ventilation, under- “It is just so exciting and amazing
fl oor heating will keep everybody to think that we’re nearly there,”
warm in winter and a harvesting said Clare. “The look on the chil-
Seeing the fi nishing touches, Clare Griffi n-Felton with site manager Chris Hendry
system will store rainwater, for dren’s faces when they arrive is
fl ushing toilets, in a huge tank room. Children will use laptops been easy to operate out of two going to be wonderful. I don’t think
under the playground. moved around on trolleys in class- buildings separated by a major road we fully realise the opportunities
A river of purple carpet runs from rooms, accessing wireless internet but the children, parents and staff the new school will offer to children
one end of the school to the other, via the latest CAT 6 data cabling. have been remarkably accepting of and the community at large.
to match the colour of children’s Much of the furniture is on wheels the disruption. It has helped every- • During the summer holiday the
sweatshirts, with classrooms being to allow for fl exible use of space body focus on what was needed to second of the two original Fresh-
carpeted in a lighter purple. This and most classrooms have mov- maintain stability for the children brook Primary School buildings
is offset by light ash woodwork, able walls. and the quality of teaching and was knocked down. The future of
which will be seen to best effect in Millbrook was formed by the learning, whilst at the same time the former Windmill Hill Primary
the fl oor to ceiling glass and wood amalgamation of Freshbrook and creating a cohesion around the idea building is uncertain. Following the
screen separating the community Windmill Hill primary schools and of Millbrook. success of the integrated services
facilities at the entrance from the headteacher Clare Griffi n-Felton is “We had to reorganise three times for disabled children that have
school itself. delighted it is coming together in in two years with classes being been established at the former
There is no dedicated computer one permanent building. “It’s not moved from the Freshbrook build- Salt Way Primary School, Swindon
ing to the Windmill Hill building Council is considering whether a
No more mobiles for Westlea children and back again. We’d like to thank similar centre could be created at
our friends at Freshbrook Church Windmill Hill.
Twenty years after the fi rst mobile classrooms arrived at Westlea
Primary School, to accommodate the growing pupil population, the
school has fi nally waved them goodbye and in September welcomes
a brand new £845,000 extension.
The school, originally built for having toilets, which means pupils
270 pupils, had 430 children at its and staff may still get wet on rainy Maths & English
peak and now has 310 who can all days when they need to enter the
enjoy proper classrooms. Along main school building.
with three classrooms, the exten- Suzanne added, “there’s a lot of tuition
sion also houses a new staff room, delight with the school extension
a medical needs room for physically and the fact that we now have CHILDCARE
impaired children, a special needs specialist rooms for children with USE THEM AT Now in Swindon!
room and a support/meeting room, physical disabilities, but we’re sad EXPLORE!
which may become a classroom that the project doesn’t completely VOUCHERS?
when needed. fulfi l our expectation and meet the Confidence
complete needs of the
children.”
Though the chil- Enthusiasm
dren haven’t been
concerned by the New skills
building work, which
began in February
and ran on schedule, Free Trial
there was excitement
when a huge crane
appeared. Call today to find out
Suzanne compli- how Explore Learning
mented the build-
ing team. “The site can inspire your child
manager kept us well
Headteacher Suzanne Seaton, informed, talking to the children
above, explained, “it’s a lovely and providing lots of information. Book your free trial session today!
building with nice big airy rooms, In fact the whole project team have 01793 614 641
lots of windows and modern tech- been absolutely fantastic. No team
nology.” could have been more hard work-
But she went on to say that un- ing, considerate and pleasant, turn- Sainsbury’s Bridgemead
fortunately the budget prevented ing what could have been quite a
the extension from being connected nightmare experience for everyone www.explorelearning.org.uk
to the school by even a corridor, or into an absolute pleasure.”

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