Date for new primary school opening not known

2 hours ago

Phil ShepkaCambridgeshire political reporter

News image — Saltbrook Primary Academy would accommodate a growing number of children moving to Sawtry

Saltbrook Primary Academy An artist's impression of the school, showing a brick building partially in black wood cladding and a separate green metal cladded walkway. There are parking spaces and greenery. — Saltbrook Primary Academy would accommodate a growing number of children moving to Sawtry

The opening date for a new primary school and early years facility is not known and is under imminent review, it has been revealed.

Saltbrook Primary Academy in Sawtry, Cambridgeshire, will eventually accommodate up to 420 children and was given outline planning consent in 2021, with a proposed opening date of September 2023.

The existing junior academy in the village recently put in planning applications to keep a mobile classroom until 2031 and add another.

Cambridgeshire County Council said: "Opening the new school at the right time is essential to ensuring the established schools in Sawtry remain sustainable in the long-term."

A formal planning application for the school went in last year, and it is being designed for families moving into new housing developments in the northern part of the area.

In 2023, the nearby Great Gidding Church of England Primary was closed by the county council - which called it unviable - having had 47 pupils at the time.

A county council spokesperson explained that the first phase of construction of Saltbrook was due to happen before the school was required.

"The opening date for the new school is being kept under review by the council, the Department for Education and Meridian Trust, to ensure the school opens at a time which prioritises the needs of the children and young people living in the local community."

It said that "sustainability is being safeguarded in this interim period through the provision of high-quality modular classrooms".

Meridian Trust, which would run the new school, said it was "looking forward" to meeting the council "imminently to review timelines" for opening it.

"We know how important this new provision will be for local families and are excited about the opportunities it will bring to the community," said the trust.

"The new school will provide additional capacity across the area, removing the need for temporary buildings."