New school building completed ready for the start of term

PUPILS are now enjoying the state-of-the-art facilities at the new Hawthorns Primary School in Mottram after it opened its doors for the start of the school year on 11 September 2024.

The £23million development was commissioned by Tameside Council and built by Robertson Construction North West. Managed by New Bridge Academy Trust, it will provide 246 places for children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). Hawthorns School was originally designed to accommodate 60 pupils at its previous site, co- located with Aldwyn Primary School, Audenshaw, and the outstanding and popular school has outgrown its capacity.

The standalone bespoke single-storey building, with an internal floor space of 4,038m², has been planned to accommodate children with a range of complex needs with classrooms spread along two main wings.

Each classroom benefits from large outdoor spaces and playground provisions. The school has specialised teaching areas for art and D&T, ICT and life skills, as well as a library, sensory areas and a sports hall. The school is also equipped with a training and family room.

Feedback from pupils and parents includes: “The new school is amazing. The layout is perfect to meet the children's needs. The staff are amazing too. Classrooms are perfect and they have access to the sensory and soft play equipment.

“The staff have done amazingly to get it all done and set up in the time they have."

Clare John, CEO of New Bridge MAT, said: “The new school building is stunning, and it’s a joy to see the pupils learning and having fun already. I have to say well done and thank you to the Hawthorns staff teams, for working so hard to get the school ready in time for the start of term.”

The site also provides a modern Football Foundation specification grass pitch and a 3G pitch for use by the school, local community and local football clubs/leagues. Hollingworth Football Club will run and manage the artificial and grass pitches which will be available for community bookings outside school hours.

The building has been constructed to achieve the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) Excellent rating, which sets best practice standards for the environmental performance of buildings. The energy efficient and sustainable design is part of Tameside working towards being Net Zero by 2038.

Solar photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps have been installed to reduce carbon emissions and generate energy savings. During construction, renewable energy powered the site, and more than 99% of waste was diverted from landfill.

With specific SEND health and wellbeing requirements to the fore, the materials palette is non-intimidating and calming. Robertson engaged with school staff, parents and the local community throughout the project to ensure that needs and priorities were met.

Councillor Teresa Smith, Tameside Council Executive Member for Children’s Services, said: "It’s fantastic that pupils are enjoying and making the most of the superb facilities in their state-of-the-art, energy efficient, new school.

“We are committed to investing in our children’s education, welfare and future, and this development shows our ambition to provide the very best becoming reality. The community will also benefit from the new, modern sports pitches.”

Dirk Pittaway, Regional Managing Director, Robertson Construction North West, said: “With the needs of pupils and their teachers always in mind, we’ve created an inclusive environment where children can learn, grow and reach their full potential.

“This is a meaningful project that places the school at the heart of its local community and is another successful job delivered on time for Tameside Council, continuing our strong relationship.”

Learning Education Partnership – Inspired Spaces, directly appointed Robertson to deliver Hawthorns Primary School on their behalf for Tameside Council.