The start of construction on a new two-storey building and other works at Withernsea Primary School in Holderness, East Yorkshire has been marked by a ceremonial ground-breaking ceremony.

The project will involve the construction of 11 new classrooms, a hall, studio, kitchen with servery, offices and staff facilities. The ceremony to celebrate the start of the project was held on the land adjacent to the site.

The scheme which we are delivering will retain the school’s original Victorian schoolhouse – a heritage asset – for further educational use. The project will also involve the demolition of the school’s South Building, with pupils remaining in the existing school facilities for the start of the 2020/21 academic year.

In addition to the new block, the school’s existing playgrounds will be retained and enhanced, with the site’s existing car park also extended.

The project is the second scheme we have undertaken as part of the Department for Education’s Priority School Building Programme.

Tony Shaw, Operations Director said: “This project is hugely significant for Withernsea Primary School and its surrounding catchment areas and is one we’re extremely proud to be delivering.

We have worked closely with the Department of Education during the planning process in order to create a new, sustainable, modern environment which will become a vital part of thousands of pupils’ education.”

Construction starting on the new building here at Withernsea is a landmark moment in our recent history.

It's taken a good deal of planning and time to get to this point and we can't wait for the new building to be completed. I look forward to welcoming the youngest school age children from Withernsea into brand new, purpose-built facilities which they deserve.

Angela Harper, Headteacher, Withernsea Primary School

It is fantastic that the children of Withernsea will be able to learn in a brand new, high-quality educational environment and we look forward to the day we can welcome the first pupils in next year.

Estelle Macdonald OBE, CEO, Hull Collaborative Academy Trust