Next phase begins on Barnsley's state-of the art primary schools

TURF-cutting ceremonies to mark the start of work on five new primary schools have taken place in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

Mayor of Barnsley Cllr Joe Hayward was joined by children who will benefit from the improved educational facilities at Darton, Grove Street, Longcar, Cudworth Pontefract Road and Sandhill primaries.

Also present at the commencement ceremonies were school governors, teachers and local ward members, together with senior representatives from partner organisation Carillion, who are building the schools and will maintain them for the first 25 years.

In total 13 new primary schools will be built in Barnsley over the next two years under the private finance initiative (PFI). Schools in phase one open this summer, phase 2 next spring and phase 3 by summer next year.

Overall, the PFI scheme represents a £54 million investment in the future of Barnsley children. Some 3,600 pupils and staff will benefit from these enhanced learning environments.

Speaking at the turf-cutting ceremony at Longcar Primary (pictured), Cllr Hayward said: "We deserve these new schools for our young people. Education is the cornerstone of their development and we must get that right. The new PFI schools are the start of something fantastic and I am really looking forward to coming back to these schools when they are newly completed."

ENDS

Issued by Kevin Smith, Press Office, Tel: (01226) 773442
Email: kevinsmith@barnsley.gov.uk