Building work starts on city's £13m state-of-the-art new primary school

Work has begun on a state-of-the-art new £13million primary school in the city to replace the outdated facilities for pupils at Thorney Close Primary and to provide specific support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

- by Neil Fatkin

Together for Children's Director of Education Kimberley Richardson, Matt Kemp, of Brims Construction, headteacher Catherine Jones and pupils.

The new school, which will be called Silver Birch Primary, will have capacity to enrol 315 pupils as well as having a nursery and a unit for children with hearing impairments.

The new school on Shaftoe Road is within 250 metres of the current Thorney Close school and being built on the site of the former Sunningdale school which catered for children with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties.

Silver Birch is being built on a six-and-a-half acre site, due to open for the 2026 academic year, and includes a new playing field which is in line with the latest Sport England standards.