9 Jun 2008

Two new primary schools, Riverside Community Primary and Whitleigh Community Primary, constructed by Interserve for Plymouth City Council under the PFI programme, are now open.

Riverside was opened by Simon Weston, the Falklands veteran who inspired the nation after suffering horrific burns during the Falklands War. The school, which overlooks the River Tamar, is attended by 420 pupils and a further 60 nursery-aged children. In addition to its classrooms it has a technology suite, a drama studio, interactive boards, wireless internet access and 70 computers. Outside there are four new playgrounds, a purpose-built sport pitch and a "habitats" area where children will be able to learn about wildlife.

Riverside Community Primary school opening

Whitleigh Community Primary has moved across to its new building within the Wood View Learning Community, which will become Plymouth City Council's showcase for its pledge to put education at the heart of the community. Whitleigh's 320 children are the first to benefit from the campus-style facility being built on the hilltop site. Their new building houses a Foundation Stage unit, the Children's Centre, four Key Stage 1 classrooms, four Lower Key Stage 2 classrooms and four Key Stage 2 classrooms. The rooms are bright and airy and the school has been laid out and equipped to create an atmosphere that encourages a zest for learning. There are breakout areas and all the classrooms have the latest educational tools such as whiteboards and wireless capabilities.

Whitleigh Community Primary school

As part of the Wood View Learning Community, Whitleigh will be joined later this year by a secondary school for around 900 pupils who will share state-of-the-art campus facilities including a library, dining room, specialist hall space, music, art and drama rooms. The schools will also work closely with other campus partners including Woodlands Special School, an early years centre and the Pupil Referral Unit.

In addition to landscaping and continuing construction of the new secondary school and other wings of the complex, Interserve will now demolish the old junior school.
It is also responsible in the new schools for caretaking, cleaning, catering, grounds maintenance, building operation and maintenance, waste management and recycling.

John Butcher, Wood View's Director of Campus, said, "There is a real buzz about the campus and in the wider community. We have all been watching this incredible project take shape and there is a real sense of excitement that the children will be able to experience these great facilities. The whole project has been incredibly collaborative, not just between the partners on the site, but the council's Private Finance Initiative team, Interserve and the people around the site, who have been very patient."

David Paterson, Managing Director of Interserve Project Services, said, "The completion of these new schools represents a significant milestone in the development of Plymouth City Council's educational provision. Our teams have worked hard to ensure that the new schools are ready for the pupils and we hope that they enjoy using their new facilities."