Fradley Park Primary School in Lichfield, Staffordshire, celebrated the official opening of its £4.8m free school with the local community last week (Friday 13 January).
The two-storey building, which was constructed by Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson and completed in summer 2022, opened to 210 primary and 26 nursery pupils in autumn last year – being the first school to be built in the area in over 40 years.
The opening ceremony was attended by Ben Robinson, High Sheriff and County Councillor Jonathan Price from Staffordshire County Council, Construction Director Kevin Dodds from G F Tomlinson, and CEO of John Taylor Multi-Academy Trust Mike Donoghue. As well as approximately 50 guests, comprising school staff and governors, John Taylor MAT directors and members, and colleagues from the local authority and other partner and community organisations.
The occasion was marked with speeches and a presentation of the school’s journey, before the school was officially opened by Ben Robinson, High Sheriff of Staffordshire County Council and County Councillor Jonathan Price, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND.
The school was delivered through the Staffordshire County Council Framework, and project managed by Entrust, and is now being managed by the John Taylor Multi Academy Trust.
This is one of six educational schemes that G F Tomlinson has delivered within Staffordshire alongside Entrust, with the Derby-headquartered firm recently completing the latest scheme – Bramshall Meadows First School in Uttoxeter.
Kevin Dodds, Construction Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We’re delighted to have marked the official opening of Fradley Park Primary School, working collaboratively alongside Staffordshire County Council and Entrust, which has provided much-needed school places for young children within the local area.
“The brand-new facilities and state-of-the-art classrooms have created enhanced environments for children to learn and grow, and the ceremony was a great opportunity to see them explore their fantastic new school.”
Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education Jonathan Price said: “I was really pleased to officially open Fradley Park Primary, which is the latest primary school in the county to be built in response to growing demand for school places in the area. It’s been great to see the first classes of children settling in well to their new school, which looks to be a fantastic place for them to start their education journey.”
Mike Donoghue, CEO of John Taylor Multi-Academy Trust, said: “I feel an enormous sense of pride, and greatly privileged, to be alongside our partners on this special afternoon. Fradley Park Primary and Nursery School is a wonderful school, and a superb example of what can happen when a vision for a new community combines with a spirit of collaboration and the sheer hard graft of endeavour.
“Working throughout the development of the school in a spirit of collaboration, I take this opportunity to thank all our partners for their contributions in making the school the amazing place it is. Staffordshire County Council, Entrust, the Department for Education, G F Tomlinson and a host of other organisations have been generous with their time and expertise, and flexible and accommodating in their approach. Deadlines were met, specifications achieved, and budgets adhered to. I thank them all.”
