£2m for new classrooms
NILABE120131d1, Kirk Hallam Dallimore primary school. Headteacher Rachel Crowther and pupils infront of a classroom to be replaced.
PUPILS are celebrating this week after a £2m classroom block was given the go-ahead at their school.
Rachel Crowther, headteacher at Dallimore Primary School, in Kirk Hallam, has said she is delighted that the ‘condemned’ block will now be replaced.
Before work starts later this year, it is thought that pupils will be able to have a say on some elements of the design of the new block, which is mostly used by the youngest children in years one and two.
Mrs Crowther said: “I’m really pleased.
“It’s certainly something that’s very much needed and we’re so grateful to the county council.”
A routine survey at the block, which was built in the 1950s, found that it was in desperate need of repair.
A report seen by Derbyshire county councillors on Tuesday said: “The wooden structural columns have rotted to the extent that emergency propping has been installed as a temporary solution to keep the building in a safe condition for ongoing use.”
More than £750,000 has come from the children and younger adults department’s savings with the remaining £1.182m from unallocated cash from last year’s budget.
The cash covers everything from clearing the site to building the new building to furniture.
Cllr Mike Longden, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for education, said after the meeting: “I am delighted that we will be replacing this building which has reached the end of its life in terms of future maintenance.
“I’m sure staff and pupils will be delighted with the replacement building which will provide four modern classrooms, a library and other facilities which will be economical to maintain and a big improvement on current accommodation.”
The old building will continue to be used by children until work starts.
Mrs Crowther has assured parents that the building is safe to be used until that point.
Some classes may be held in temporary buildings while the work takes place.
She added: “It’s going to be well worth it in the end.”
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Friday 25 May 2012
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