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New £6 million Gayton Church of England Primary Academy opens to staff and children at start of term




It has been a decade in the making, but today, pupils and staff have finally spent their first day at a brand new multi-million pound school.

It was an exciting day for all as Gayton Church of England Primary Academy welcomed its first cohort into the new £6m building.

Executive head teacher Rachael Greenhalgh greeted each pupil with a warm welcome as they were delivered to the kiss-and-drop-off point at the entrance by their parents.

Gayton Church of England Primary Academy, part of Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT) and Gayton Goslings, was commissioned and funded by Norfolk County Council as part of the school’s capital programme
Gayton Church of England Primary Academy, part of Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT) and Gayton Goslings, was commissioned and funded by Norfolk County Council as part of the school’s capital programme

After a decade of planning, the new site will now cater for up to 56 nursery places and 210 places for primary school children.

Meanwhile, a roundabout at the entrance, dubbed the 'kiss-and-drop-off point', helps reduce congestion near the residential area.

It is part of the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT), and Gayton Goslings Daycare Centre was commissioned and funded by Norfolk County Council.

The gates are opened to the new school building with excited pupils entering for the first time
The gates are opened to the new school building with excited pupils entering for the first time

Mrs Greenhalgh said: "As a school we are absolutely delighted that we are finally here and ready to open.

"Our fantastic staff team are all very excited about the opportunities this new building will create for our thriving school community.

"We have worked on this project for ten years and we are confident it will be worth the wait.

"It is great to see this kind of investment in a rural school in this part of West Norfolk."

Gayton Church of England Primary Academy's executive head teacher Rachael Greenhalgh with Alison Jones from the Gayton Goslings pre-school in the bright outside area
Gayton Church of England Primary Academy's executive head teacher Rachael Greenhalgh with Alison Jones from the Gayton Goslings pre-school in the bright outside area

Construction company Kier built the new site between Springvale and Vicarage Drive in Gayton with much thought given to energy efficiency capabilities, including an air source heat pump, solar glass, efficient lighting system and insulation which is monitored to control room temperatures.

DNEAT is also looking to install solar panels on the south-facing roof of the primary school.

A central library space is the heart of the premises where an array of books can now be used and outside is a multi-use games area.

The library is the heart space of the school
The library is the heart space of the school

The Gayton Gosling nursery building has a community and children’s room, a sleeping bay and lots of space with outdoor play areas.

Oliver Burwood, chief executive officer at DNEAT, said: "Everyone at DNEAT is very excited about this new nursery and primary school being built in Gayton.

"This will be an excellent resource for the children in the village and reflects the high aspirations we have for all children within the Trust.

"It is a culmination of nearly a decade of hard work from the head teacher to get this underway and we thank all those involved in what is going to be a fantastic new school."

The works began in November 2020 and the first foundations laid in July 2021.

Pupils and parents were the first to see the new building as they are greeted by members of staff
Pupils and parents were the first to see the new building as they are greeted by members of staff

Mrs Greenhalgh told the Lynn News: "We want to make the most of the space we have been given and create an environment of community for the children who deserve a beautiful school.

"Our assembly will focus on our key values, with collective worship, and create a safe space for the children."

Pupils at the kiss-and-drop area in front of the school's entrance are the first to see the new building at the start of term
Pupils at the kiss-and-drop area in front of the school's entrance are the first to see the new building at the start of term
Executive head teacher Rachael Greenhalgh greets parents and pupils as they see the new school for the first time
Executive head teacher Rachael Greenhalgh greets parents and pupils as they see the new school for the first time
Rachael Greenhalgh, executive head teacher shows pupils and parents the way
Rachael Greenhalgh, executive head teacher shows pupils and parents the way
Parents and pupils enter the new building which has been a decade in the making
Parents and pupils enter the new building which has been a decade in the making
Parents accompany their children into school and it's a new start for everyone
Parents accompany their children into school and it's a new start for everyone
Parents drop off their children on the first day back in a brand new school
Parents drop off their children on the first day back in a brand new school
Teachers were on hand to give directions
Teachers were on hand to give directions
Some of the first through the new school gates
Some of the first through the new school gates
Children settle in to the new Goslings pre-school
Children settle in to the new Goslings pre-school
Children arriving at their brand new school
Children arriving at their brand new school
This area in the school provides intervention and a quiet space for pupils
This area in the school provides intervention and a quiet space for pupils
The sports hall is equipped for the school's aim to encourage P.E. and sport
The sports hall is equipped for the school's aim to encourage P.E. and sport
A brand new rug in one of the classrooms which are named after famous artists
A brand new rug in one of the classrooms which are named after famous artists
Books are displayed in the library which is the heart space of the school
Books are displayed in the library which is the heart space of the school
The staff room is equipped for teachers and has better facilities than they previously experienced
The staff room is equipped for teachers and has better facilities than they previously experienced
The bright and vibrant play area encourages exercise outside
The bright and vibrant play area encourages exercise outside
A brand new classroom and a brand new term.
A brand new classroom and a brand new term.

Do you have a story to share with the Lynn News about schools? Email our team at newsdesk@lynnnews.co.uk



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