
BUILDING work is due to start on a new home for Forest and Sandridge School after exciting plans were finalised and approved this month.
The new 420-capacity primary school will be the new home for children and staff of Forest and Sandridge School with the current building due to be knocked down and turned into a residential area.
The proposals, which have been supported by town and parish councillors, will see the school’s new building located south of Snarlton Lane and include two halls, a hard sports area and two grass football pitches.
The 2.2 hectare site has provision for community use at evenings and weekends in the larger hall and changing facilities which would be available to the public. The school building will be organised into three sections – the main core facilities and two wings. There will be 14 classes and a nursery.
Headteacher, Anna Willcox said, “We are incredibly excited that our new building has finally been given the go ahead and cannot wait to see it being built over the coming months. We will be planning carefully during this year to ensure that the move is as seamless as possible. The facilities and additional opportunities we will be able to offer our children from the new site will further enrich their learning and educational experiences.”
The new school’s plans were backed enthusiastically by Melksham Without Parish Council. They said, “We fully recognise the urgent need for this facility to be built in view of the state of the present building and we fully support plans for the larger new two class-entry school.
“The staff and governors at Forest and Sandridge School have had to cope for far too long in unacceptable conditions. All pupils deserve to be educated in the best possible environment. However the parish council feels it is also important to ensure that this development is right for the site and for those who will live here in the future.”
The model to be used at the new Forest and Sandridge building is the same as was built in Amesbury recently and a picture of this school is on the front page.