Work is almost complete on a brand new replacement school at Yorkswood Primary in Kingshurst, the seventh primary school to be rebuilt in North Solihull in the last decade.

The new build, along with three recently remodelled primary schools, marks the completion of the Council’s North Solihull Primary Programme.  In total, over £60m will have been spent improving every single primary school in the North Solihull Regeneration area benefitting over 4,000 children.    

At a cost of £5.7m, the new school replaces the current outdated buildings with a modern design and facilities fit for 21st Century learning.  Due to be completed during May 2019, the construction has taken place alongside the existing school which will be demolished following relocation into the new building in the summer term.

The new building is single storey and is at the rear of the existing campus off Kingshurst Way; accommodating new classrooms, school hall and studio, administration areas, new catering kitchen along with a new multi-use games area and remodelled neighbourhood nursery. The re-landscaping of the campus will also incorporate the adjacent Capitol House, which has been refurbished to provide a new bespoke community hub.  

Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills, Councillor Ken Meeson said: “Good education in aspirational surroundings is vital to giving young people the best start in life and the chance to succeed.  This is why we have invested so heavily in rebuilding and remodelling schools in the North of the Borough and I am delighted that the completion of this programme means we will have modern buildings and teaching facilities for children and young people across all age ranges.  Not only will the new facilities at Yorkswood enrich the lives of its pupils but the wider local community as well.

Cabinet Member for Managed Growth, Councillor Ian Courts said: “Regeneration is not just about bricks and mortar; it has to improve the lives and opportunities available to the local community which is why our investment in education has been such a top priority in North Solihull. 

“I am very proud that all of the primary schools in the North Solihull Regeneration area have seen significant investment giving pupils the best opportunities possible.  I hope the new facilities at Yorkwsood Primary bring lasting benefits to the pupils and community for many years to come.”

Andy Tunstall, Head of Yorkswood Primary School said: “A great deal of thought, planning and hard work has gone into the project and we are grateful to Solihull for maintaining their commitment to creating a 21st Century building, fit for our children, staff and the wider community. 

The replacement or remodelling of schools in the North of the Borough has been part of a wider investment in the area through the North Solihull Partnership; which has seen the creation of new housing, two new village centres, improvements to local amenities and parks and investment in local enterprise.