Staff hail school’s foundation unit

Since the start of term children at Southlands Lower School in Biggleswade have been learning in the new building, which was constructed during the summer holidays.

It replaces the previous mobile building that was being used to teach Year One pupils.

Chris Greenhall – vice principal at Holmemead Middle School: Biggleswade Academy Trust, of which Southlands is a part – said: “The previous building consisted of two classrooms with a wall in between, which to be honest had become quite dark and dingy.

“As phase one of our programme of improvements to the school we have built the new unit for foundation stage children which has two large, open plan areas with a good free-flow between them.

“We have also constructed a covered outdoor area which can be used in all weathers, as well as Astroturf on the play area, as we found the grass was getting muddy quite easily.”

The new phase of the programme could also see a concrete path being installed in the garden behind the outdoor area for pupils to ride their tricycles on.

Esme Wyatt, assistant principal and manager of Brigham Pre-school – which is also part of the Trust group – said: “The new unit contains a number of learning areas which are used to teach different subjects.

“We have specific areas for maths and reading for example, and we have repainted the walls so they are a more calming colour – from magnolia to a an easier-on-the-eye light green.

“The toilets are also more easily accessible now as well, and the back of the building has improved massively.”

The school hopes to complete its conversion to academy status in December.