Ribbon cutting celebrates new school building that's already benefiting pupils

PARENTS have spoken of how much their children are benefiting from the state-of-the-art facilities at the new Hawthorns Primary School in Mottram.

The new building is a shining example of co-production with the community coming together to ensure its creation – and everyone involved gathered to celebrate at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday 6 December.

School staff, parents and carers, pupils, Tameside Council leaders, Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds, High Peak MP Jon Pearce, construction staff and education officials all attended the event, which was held once pupils had settled into the school following its opening on 11 September.

Parents and carers shared how their children are enjoying the new school and the difference that it’s making to them. Managed by New Bridge Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), it provides 246 places for children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).

One parent said: "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. I just wish it could go up to 18 and I am sad how in four years I won’t be dropping him off here."

Another parent said: "The new school building is perfect, and the layout is just fantastic and spot on to meet the children's needs. My child especially. He has settled in so well and managed the transition to a new site and going on transport for the first time so well - it just shows how right the environment is for him. We are seeing some lovely behaviours at school and home and his words are coming on so well. The staff have done amazingly to get it all done and set up in the time they have."

Another parent added: "Once the drop off and pick up arrangements have now been sorted it is now a smooth military operation and my child loves going to school and we feel really welcome here."

The £23million development was commissioned by Tameside Council and built by Robertson Construction North West. 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.

Clare John, CEO of New Bridge MAT, said: “To see the staff and children settle into their new school so quickly has been fantastic. This school has been a long time coming for Tameside and the Hawthorns community especially. I am incredibly proud of our colleagues from Hawthorns for their hard work and dedication in getting the school up and running. We look forward to many more successful years of co-production in Tameside. As a parent myself, it’s lovely to see the difference this school is already making to our families. Long may it continue.”

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.

Tameside Council Leader Councillor Eleanor Wills said: “This state-of-the-art school is a shining example of co-production where the community pulled together to make their shared ambition a reality. It’s a testament to the hard work and determination of everyone involved to create the very best and I’m thrilled that the pupils are already benefitting from the superb facilities. We are committed to investing in our children’s education and welfare and will do all we can to give them the best start in life.”

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.

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