£400,000 boost for “outstanding” primary school

A CAPITAL investment of more than £400,000 in one of Warrington’s best performing primary schools has been approved by the borough council.
Work is expected start next month on proposals to upgrade existing poor quality accommodation at Callands Primary School.
The existing building will be remodelled and a new foundation stage building for reception classes will be built to replace sub-standard mobile classrooms.
The project should be completed by October.
Education watchdog Ofsted gave the school an “outstanding” rating as recently as March.
Steve Reddy, the borough council’s director of families and wellbeing (pictured), said: “This investment will make a tremendous difference to the learning environment at Callands and I am delighted that the executive board is enabling the project to move forward without delay.
“Staff and governors have played a crucial role in developing the plans, and we have very much appreciated their feedback and support.
“Contractors will be on site at the earliest opportunity to begin creating the kind of high quality accommodation that pupils and staff deserve.”
Existing temporary buildings at Callands will be demolished, internal areas of the school remodelled to improve teaching accommodation and the kitchen refurbished.
Warrington Borough Council has been allocated £1.26 million for 2016/17 by the Department for Education to maintain community schools. Voluntary aided (church schools) and academies have access to separate funding streams agreed directly with the diocesan authorities and the government’s Education Funding Agency respectively.