ISG breaks ground at new North East Somerset primary school

ISG welcomed distinguished guests to celebrate the commencement of construction at the site of the new Norton Hill Primary School. The school, which is set to open in September 2020, will address growing demand for pupil places in the Midsomer Norton area of Somerset, with capacity to accept up to 600 children.

Occupying an entirely new site in the North East Somerset town, the scheme includes significant upgrades and improvements to the public highways and associated infrastructure, including a new cycleway, to encourage sustainable travel to and from the school. Adopting a ‘Forest School’ ethos – Norton Hill Primary will make extensive use of the thoughtfully designed landscaping scheme for teaching subjects outdoors and enriching the learning experience for pupils.

The new three form entry, two-storey primary school will include 21 spacious classrooms for children aged 4-11, as well as a dedicated science/design technology teaching room, a cookery room, a large and a smaller interconnecting hall, dance studio , Special Educational Needs (SEN) therapy room and library.

The school will also bring much-needed sporting facilities to the wider community, making available, for out-of-hours use, a large multi-user games area, and two playing pitches designed for under 8’s and 12’s.

Kerrie Courtier, executive headteacher of Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership, said: “We are excited about the wealth of opportunities on offer for pupils who will attend Norton Hill Primary School. As part of the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership, staff and pupils will work closely with secondary school specialists to support all pupils in experiencing a high-quality education so they can reach their full potential.

“Our aim is to ensure pupils achieve high academic literacy and numeracy skills and to foster a love of learning, while also becoming confident, independent-minded citizens of the future. This bespoke, high quality all-purpose building offers opportunities for a wider curriculum, our unique provision will support pupils through their primary school life with a seamless transition into their secondary school education."

Jon James, regional director at ISG, said: “This key milestone in the creation of a new school for Midsomer Norton is a real moment for celebration. The Department for Education (DfE) has committed significant resources to improving our school provision, to create facilities fit for the 21st century, that not only reflect modern teaching practices, but also become an integral part of local communities. We’re confident that Norton Hill Primary School will continue to create a positive legacy in the region for many generations to come.”