New temporary learning village at St Peter’s Junior School in Ruddington on track for Easter

The cost of this project is confirmed to be worth £6.5m and funded via the Department for Education. It is being managed and delivered on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Councill by Arc Partnership, a joint venture between the council and SCAPE.

Feasibility work for a permanent St Peter’s Junior School replacement building has also got the go ahead, subject to the confirmation of further Government funding for the permanent rebuild.

Work on the new temporary learning village started in new year and is continuing seven days a week.

It is on course to be the fastest-ever turnaround for a project of this type in the country and is being built next to the current building and will accommodate all 350 pupils. It will comprise of four modular buildings:

•  A two-storey building with ten classrooms and toilets

•  A single storey space which includes a hall, kitchen and eating area, with offices, plus pupil and staff toilets

• A single storey building made up of three classrooms and toilets

• A single storey SEN (special education need) block made up of group rooms, nurture rooms and toilets.

Commenting on the funding for the temporary village, Wayne Bexton, Director of Economy, Environment and Assets at Nottinghamshire County Council, said that the long-term plan is to build a permanent replacement. He said:

“We continue to be in negotiation with the Department for Education as regards funding the permanent replacement of St Peter’s school.

“Delivery of the new learning village has been a fantastic team effort with contractors and council colleagues working around the clock to make sure we hand over the keys to the headteacher in Easter. The new learning village will be a fantastic temporary home, with catering on site, a school hall and SEND provision.’’

Headteacher Michael Bradley describes the four buildings as being far more than steel and structure as they tell the story of a community who in its most challenging hour, chose positivity, grit and togetherness. He said:

“It is extraordinary to think that just a few months ago, our pupils were still learning in our old school building. In that short time, the transformation of our new learning village has been nothing short of remarkable."

"We are delighted that the learning village remains on track to welcome all pupils back to our school site from after Easter and we can't wait for our school community to be back home once again."

There has also been an upgrade to the main power to the site via national grid, this has involved the installation of a new sub-station and an upgraded supply to power the learning village. This work will help future proof the site for the new permanent replacement building.

An upgraded bridge has been installed for vehicles to access the site, which will stay in place until the old school has been demolished and removed and the new permanent building and replacement bridge is complete.