The site purchase for a new local school, Waterside Primary Academy, has been officially completed by the Department for Education (DfE) and the local housing developer Blueprint, which will support Greenwood Academies Trust’s plans to open a new free school serving families across the Trent Basin waterside neighbourhood in Nottingham.
This follows earlier approval from the Department for Education for the Trust to proceed to the free school ‘pre-opening phase’ for a new local primary school with nursery, and planning approval from Nottingham City Council to provide a new access road serving the site.
This acquisition is an exciting milestone for the development of the new school, with design and construction work due to start next year. It follows The Trust will be working closely with the DfE and their technical advisors, Turner & Townsend, to create a programme for the development.
Additionally, this project will also provide valuable work experience for pupils at Nottingham Girls’ Academy, also sponsored by the Trust, who will have the opportunity to engage with all aspects of the design and construction of the new school development, further helping prepare them for the world of work.
Wayne Norrie, CEO of Greenwood Academies Trust, said:
“We are delighted that plans are progressing with this new free school, Waterside Primary Academy, and now that the site acquisition has been completed, we are excited to work alongside our partners at the DfE, Blueprint and Nottingham City Council during the next stages of development.
“As a Trust, we are committed to delivering the best possible education for children and young people in the communities we serve, and we look forward to supporting the community of Trent Basin in Nottingham with this new free school.”
Councillor David Mellen, Leader of Nottingham City Council and Portfolio Holder for Schools, said:
“We welcome this latest development which builds on our efforts to ensure we have enough school places to meet demand in Nottingham, and that every child and young person has access to the very best facilities to help them reach their full potential.
“There was a long-held ambition to develop the Trent Basin area into a new sustainable community linked to the city centre and to Sneinton. This is an important step in supporting its creation and delivering the Council’s regeneration plans for the area.
“We included a school in our plans along with other features, such as transport links and high-quality homes. These proposals provide that and help to boost the viability of further development of the area.”
Sam Veal, Chief Executive of Blueprint, said:
“Blueprint is delighted to have helped facilitate this fantastic new school, working closely with Greenwood Academies Trust and the DfE.
“Waterside Primary Academy will be a fantastic asset for the City, supporting young families within the growing neighbourhood at Trent Basin and the wider Waterside area; we look forward to welcoming them into the community.”