Sod-cutting ceremony marks the start of new Tamworth school

A new primary school is coming to Dunstall Park Estate in Tamworth and will be open to students for the start of the new school year in 2024/25.

Construction works for Dunstall Park Primary School are being led by Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, on behalf of Staffordshire County Council and alongside project managers and concept architects, Entrust. The project was procured through the Constructing West Midlands (CWM) framework.

Ideally located to accommodate a number of new housing developments in the area, the new one-form entry two-storey school will open its doors in September, catering for 210 primary pupils and 26 nursery places. The school also has the capacity for expansion to 315 places in the future, in line with the demand for school places generated by further housing growth.

The 1,500 sq. metre state-of-the-art educational facility comprises seven classrooms, a separate nursery and practical area, an indoor school hall, staff offices and catering areas, alongside an outdoor space dedicated to a range of sporting activities.

The school’s energy-efficient design prioritises daylight and natural ventilation into the building and, to ensure easy adjustment to temperature changes, high levels of insulation and thermal mass will be applied to walls and ceilings.

The school will be part of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP), which operates ten other successful schools in Staffordshire, among its new overall total of 22. G F Tomlinson previously delivered Anna Seward Primary School in Lichfield in 2023 for the ATLP.

The contractor has established liaison with the local community and will continue to keep neighbours informed of progress and plans through frequent newsletters and public consultations.

A sod-cutting ceremony to mark the start of works took place at the grounds at the end of December, attended by representatives from G F Tomlinson, Staffordshire County Council, Entrust and ATLP.

Demonstrating its vast experience working in the education sector to provide quality school provision, this is the tenth scheme that G F Tomlinson will deliver for Staffordshire County Council, alongside Entrust. Recent projects include the current construction of the Garden Village Primary School in Amington and the Beaconfields Primary School in Stafford, both of which commenced in autumn last year.

Chris Flint, managing director of G F Tomlinson, said: “Building on our strong relationship with Staffordshire County Council and Entrust, we’re pleased to be delivering our tenth project together and our second school project for the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP).

“Providing modern facilities for primary and nursery pupils, with the capacity to grow in size year-on-year, Dunstall Park Primary School is ideally placed to accommodate the children of the residents in the neighbouring housing developments, offering new, enhanced teaching.”

Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education Jonathan Price said: “This £8 million school has been planned for a number of years, and will add much-needed capacity to the local area. We always plan ahead to ensure there are enough school places to meet current and future demand. The school is taking shape already, and it was good to get on site in December to celebrate the official start of construction. I look forward to seeing this school develop over the coming months, ready to welcome pupils in September.”

ATLP CEO, Richard Gill CBE said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded the new school in Tamworth, where the ATLP has built a reputation for delivering excellence in education and creating opportunities for our young people.

“Dunstall Park Primary will benefit from a talented and passionate teaching and support staff who all have children at heart of everything we do.” For more information, please contact Rebecca Morris or Jennie Holland at Jennie Holland PR on gftomlinson@jenniehollandpr.com or 0115 998 3048.