School finds nifty way to build new classroom
But thanks to some ingenuity and a real community effort, pupils are now using their new extension, featuring a full-size classroom, intervention room, ICT suite and toilets, at Hipsburn Primary School.
Following its switch from a first school, more classroom space was required to cater for Years 5 and 6.
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Hide AdThe county council funded and built an additional classroom, which opened last year, but governors at Hipsburn wanted to improve further the provision for the children.
The combination of a small loan from the council and the school’s own fund-raising led to a limited budget, and to avoid disruption, the work needed to take place over the six-week summer holidays.
The solution came via one of the governors – James Chapple, who runs an architecture business in Alnwick. He found a company which provided a cost-effective way of building the foundations and another firm which created the entire classroom block off-site.
The building was lifted into place by crane in two halves with everything, from carpets to power sockets, already installed.
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Hide AdHeadteacher Kevin Moloney said: “I would like to thank Mr Chapple, who has given a significant amount of time to manage and oversee our new classroom project.
“It’s been a long process, but Mr Chapple has worked with a sub-group of governors and parents have helped too.”
He added: “I am delighted with what the governors can offer here at Hipsburn. Staff and pupils are excited to begin using the new facilities on offer.”