School’s cool! Gurnard pupils return to a shiny new building after half term – Isle of Wight County Press

PUPILS at Gurnard Primary School have returned to a shiny new school after the half-term holiday.

The old school had become very expensive and time consuming to maintain, with a leaky roof, blocked drains and temperamental boiler.

The new building has larger classrooms, benefits from the latest facilities and is fully accessible for children and adults with disabilities.

Headteacher Vanessa Hicks said: "We are lucky enough to have two halls, two library spaces, music practice rooms and a specialist science lab.

"The learning environment in the new school is outstanding.

"The children are now designing our new back garden which will be created on the site of the old school (formerly Solent Middle School).

"This will include a natural playground, pond, wildflower meadow, forest school, orchard and allotment so were all very excited to see it develop."

According to the Isle of Wight Council, it upgraded or refurbished six schools last year and many more are set to benefit from millions of pounds of government funding.

In total, almost 2 million was invested by the council in major projects that have included modern classrooms, replacement roofing and windows, heating systems and electrical works.

However, a further estimated 12 million is set to be spent on the Island over the coming years through the government's Priority Schools Building Programme (PSBP).

The programme has already seen the refurbishment of Barton Primary School, Newport, and a new build at Queensgate Primary School, East Cowes which opened last week with major works also planned for Binstead, Brading, Dover Park (Ryde), Greenmount (Ryde), Wootton and Wroxall primary schools.

Cllr Paul Brading, Cabinet member for children's services and education, said: "We are continually investing in our schools to ensure our children have the best possible learning environment.

"Thanks to the strong working relationship between the Department for Education (DfE) and local authority, many Island schools are also benefitting from significant investment from the government's PSBP.

"Our push on improvements is helping to boost school results on the Island with outcomes improving at a much faster rate than schools nationally."

Godshill Primary School has recently undergone a 640,000 transformation with the council investing a further 790,000 in Cowes and Broadlea primary schools, with the latter benefitting from a brand-new roof.

Around 200,000 has been spent at The Bay Church of England School, Sandown, as part of a series of works which has included the refurbishment of the school dining hall.

Meanwhile, further investment has been made at St George's special school and Medina House School, both at Newport, to enhance fire safety.

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School's cool! Gurnard pupils return to a shiny new building after half term - Isle of Wight County Press