WORK is complete on a £3.8million expansion project at a popular infant and junior school in Leicester.
Overdale infant and junior schools, in Knighton, has seen existing school buildings extended and a new classroom block built to provide more pupil places and improved facilities.
Along with four additional classrooms, the work has created a new studio, more office space, new toilets, much needed storage space and rooms for smaller groups to work in.
The improvements have created space for an additional 240 permanent pupil places, meaning the schools will be able to offer an additional 30 pupil places in each of their seven year groups.
The new building incorporates a range of energy efficiency measures including high levels of insulation, air source heat pumps, low energy LED lighting and low water usage WCs and taps.
Matt Evans, head teacher at Overdale Junior School said: “We are delighted with our new learning spaces which we so desperately needed. The classrooms and additional spaces are lovely with lots of natural light and are really spacious. We are proud of our new building and our pupils really enjoy their new learning spaces.”
Hayley Holmes, head teacher at the infant school, said: “The additional classrooms have provided us with the capacity we need to provide a positive learning environment for our children. We are thrilled to be able to have a larger hall space so the entire school can be in the hall together.”
The schools are both run by the OAK Multi Academy Trust, but the city council is still responsible for ensuring they have enough capacity to meet growing demand.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “Our ongoing investment in the city’s schools will help ensure that we’re well placed to meet future growth and demand in key parts of our city. It also demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing modern, purpose-built facilities to help children get the most out of school and achieve their full potential.”
Assistant city mayor Cllr Elaine Pantling, who leads on education, added: “Overdale infant and junior schools are extremely popular, so I’m really pleased that we have been able to invest in this programme of improvements and create much-needed additional places.”
Construction of the school expansion was carried out by Stepnell under contract to Leicester City Council.
Tom Sewell, regional director at Stepnell, said: “The education sector has and will continue to be a core focus for us as a business and we’re pleased to have supported Leicester City Council with its aims to improve capacity and the overall school experience for the Knighton community, through our expertise in expansion work on live sites.”
Work was funded through Leicester City Council’s capital programme.