New Beardall Fields Primary and Nursery School officially opens in Hucknall

The new £5m school, off Kenbrook Road, replaced Beardall Street Primary School and opened its doors for the first time in September.

Headteacher Katherine Collins said: “Everyone in the school has settled in really well and are making the most of all the extra space.

“The classrooms make for a fantastic learning environment as they are all light and airy.

“The children love the outside space and cannot wait until the playing field is ready for use in the spring.

“The new technologies are really enhancing and the building offers us so many more opportunities to develop our curriculum.”

The new build has seen pupil numbers increase from 210 to eventually accommodating 315 pupils.

If, as expected, there is further demand for extra capacity due to nearby housing developments, additional classrooms can be added which will further increase capacity to 420 places.

The new school has been laid out to comply with the latest guidance from the Department of Education on the best learning environment. Features include:

l Extensive use of natural light to reduce reliance on artificial lighting

l A user-controlled natural ventilation system

l Cycle facilities to encourage cycling

l Flexible green-space for potential use as a garden space and outdoor class

l Extensive use of low maintenance and recyclable materials in the construction

The new school has been designed by Nottinghamshire County Council’s in-house property team and constructed by Kier.

Pupils, staff, governors and members of the local community will join the chairman of the county council Pauline Allan to officially open the new school on Wednesday at 10.15am.