School improvement project takes a big step forward

[Hereford Voice]

Contractor agreed for major expansion to Herefordshire primary school

Image credit: Quattro Design Architects

A £6million expansion of a popular Herefordshire school has taken a major step forward after a contractor was appointed to carry out the work.

Herefordshire Council has signed a contract with builder Morgan Sindall Construction for the work to provide six new classrooms, a new hall and a special hygiene and physio room at Marlbrook Primary School at Green Croft.

The school – rated Outstanding by Ofsted and which has experienced a significant rise in numbers in recent years – will also benefit from new netball courts and improvements to the car parking area.

Councillor Felicity Norman, Herefordshire Council Cabinet member for Children and Families, and Councillor Gemma Davies, Cabinet member for Commissioning, Procurement and Assets, said they were delighted that the scheme was progressing.

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“Marlbrook Primary School is a real success story and this significant investment will help the council and everyone concerned to build on that.

“Once the work is complete pupils will benefit from a state-of-the-art learning environment and the very latest facilities to help make sure they get the best possible start to their education.”

 

Head teacher Tracey Kneale said the announcement was much-needed good news in the midst of the coronavirus situation.

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"The whole school community is delighted that the building work will soon begin. At such a difficult time for all our families, it is something for us to look forward to in the months ahead."

Robert Williams, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said:

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“We are delighted to be awarded the contract and look forward to delivering the project safely, efficiently and in line with current government guidance.”

Work will start in compliance with all Government coronavirus regulations and the council has pledged to help keep disruption from construction traffic to a minimum for residents.

Construction of the project – the capital funding for which was approved in November – is expected to take around a year.