Work beginning on £3.5m improvements at school

Greenhill Primary School, in Bramley, Leeds, will be part refurbished and part rebuilt. Once completed the school will be housed in a purpose-designed single building that will include new Key Stage 1 and 2 classrooms, a new hall, reception area, main office space, community room, practical space and school library.

There will also be new landscaped play areas, a new pedestrian entrance to the school and a new football pitch which will be laid when one of the school’s old buildings is demolished.

Yesterday a sod-cutting ceremony took place to mark the start of building work at the school.

Greenhill is one of six schools to benefit from the Leeds Primary Capital Programme. Oulton Primary School and Gildersome Primary School will also be part refurbished and rebuilt while Richmond Hill Primary School, Swillington Primary School and SS Peter & Paul Catholic Primary School will be completely rebuilt.

Ann-Marie Reeve, head teacher at Greenhill Primary School, said: “It’s fantastic that the work to improve our school is to get underway.

“Every child deserves the best opportunities to learn and develop and I am looking forward to our school providing first class teaching in a first class environment.”

Coun Jane Dowson, executive board member for learning at Leeds City Council, said: “Even in these difficult financial times, we are continuing to see investment in our children’s education. We are committed to providing the best possible standards of education across the city which includes everything from standards of teaching to the quality of our buildings. The transformation of Greenhill Primary School will ensure that children in Bramley have access to both and will benefit from the best possible start to their school lives.”

Nigel Richardson, director of children’s services, said: “The Primary Capital Programme will help transform six primary schools in Leeds into fantastic learning environments.”

It is planned that the new building and facilities at Greenhill Primary School will be fully in use by September 2012.