Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson has completed construction works on the new Anker Valley Primary School in Tamworth, Staffordshire.
The opening ceremony for the new school took place towards the end of 2021, with MP Christopher Pincher, County Councillor Jonathan Price from Staffordshire County Council, representatives from G F Tomlinson and Head of School Natalie Horlor in attendance, as well as 50 guests.
The occasion was marked with speeches and a presentation of the school’s journey, as well as a special ceremony awarding 24 pupils with medals made especially for the occasion. The children also put on a singing performance for everyone attending the event, before the school was officially opened by MP Christopher Pincher and County Councillor Jonathan Price.
Construction of the £5m, two-storey school was led by G F Tomlinson, on behalf of its client Entrust for Staffordshire County Council and offers 210 places, including 26 nursery spaces. It was built in response to Tamworth’s new housing developments creating an increased need for additional school places in the area.
The school is being managed by Fiertè Multi Academy Trust – which currently has seven other schools in the Tamworth and Burton area.
This is one of a number of educational schemes that G F Tomlinson is involved with in the West Midlands alongside Entrust, as the Derby-headquartered firm is also constructing Bramshall Meadows First School in Lichfield and Fradley Park Primary School in Uttoxeter for Staffordshire County Council.
Chris Flint, Managing Director of G F Tomlinson, said: “We are very pleased to see the newly-built Anker Valley Primary School now open, on behalf of our client Entrust for Staffordshire County Council, through their Construction Project framework.
“We have strong experience in educational projects across the Midlands and are delighted to have delivered this brand-new primary school to the Staffordshire region, providing much-needed school places for young children in the local area.
“The school sits within a new residential development in a great location close to the centre of Tamworth, and will provide high quality educational facilities for the growing community here.
“The opening ceremony was a wonderful way to mark the special occasion, and it was great to see the smiles on the children’s’ faces as they sang for attendees and explored their new school.”
Natalie Horlor, Head of School at Anker Valley Primary School, said: “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic, it takes sweat, determination and hard work and so many people have worked tirelessly behind the scenes for almost three years to create this dream.
“The incredible Anker Valley team, along with the fantastic builders, went above and beyond unpacking deliveries, assembling furniture and getting every room ready for the arrival of our first cohort of children in September 2021.
“Everyone has a dream but not everyone can make it happen. As Eleanor Roosevelt said: the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams and at Anker Valley, we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for helping us to achieve our dream.”
Maria Hamblin, CEO of the Fiertè Multi Academy Trust, commented: “G F Tomlinson has been excellent. They have worked very well with Tony Hand the Project Lead to deliver everything on time. We are incredibly proud to have been awarded this school within our Trust.”
Jonathan Price, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education (and SEND), said: “Staffordshire is a growing county, with people moving to the area for good jobs, education and housing and the County Council has a long track record of successfully expanding existing schools, or providing brand new ones such as this.
“This fabulous new school will meet growing demand from housing developments in the area and I look forward to seeing it grow from strength to strength as teachers, pupils and parents turn it into a thriving community.”
