One small sod...to one super school

Work begins on new Royton Hall Primary School site. Back row l-r, Cllr. Kay Knox - Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, Mayoress Shafeena Kausar, Jane Wilson - head teacher, Mayor Cllr. Shoab Akhtar. Front row, Holly Adlen (left) and Ka

THE first sod has been cut to mark the start of the construction of a new primary school in Royton.

The ceremony saw dignitaries join pupils, governors and staff gather to celebrate construction of Royton Hall Primary.

Oldham Mayor Councillor Shoab Akhtar and Cabinet Member for children, young people and families, Councillor Kay Knox, were among those at the ceremony.

The completion of building work is scheduled for June, 2009, and follows the amalgamation of High Barn and Byron Street primary schools earlier this year.

The new single school building will feature an outdoor classroom, nature garden, amphitheatre, library, art and food science technology facilities, a studio, community rooms, and 11 classrooms and a nursery.

It will be built with the environment in mind, using rainwater harvesting as an educational tool.

The rainwater will be linked to a remote monitoring unit that pupils can observe and will also be used to provide the flush to some toilets.

Solar collectors will boost under-floor heating in the hall and to preheat hot water.

The school will also help to educate pupils about energy efficiency by having some visible energy consumption meters in reception which will display gas, water and electricity consumption.

Councillor Akhtar said: “It is a fantastic new site that will provide a great learning home for its pupils.”

Head teacher Jane Wilson said: “The governors, children, parents and staff at Royton Hall Primary are very excited over their new building.

“This event marks a significant step in the life of our newly amalgamated school and brings the day when all of our children and staff will be able to work together under the same roof a step closer.

“We are pleased that the hard work of council officers, developers Gleesons and our governors is making this vision a reality.”

l Getting work under way are (back, from the left) Councillor Kay Knox, Mayoress Shafeena Kausar, head teacher Jane Wilson, Mayor Councillor Shoab Akhtar, f(ront, from the left) Holly Adlen and Katie-Mae Cousins, both three and future pupils at the new school.