Parents share their excitement as building underway on new Scartho school
Parents “excited” about a new primary school being built on Scartho Top heard about its progress and how to apply for a place.
Groundworks have started on the site of Scartho Gateway Primary Academy, behind the Aldi supermarket on Matthew Ford Way.
Prospective parents and staff spoke to senior leaders at Lincolnshire Gateway Academies Trust, appointed by North East Lincolnshire Council to run the school when it opens in September next year.
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The Open Event was the first of two at St Giles Church Small Hall on Church Lane in Scartho. The second will be held on Thursday September 19 between 5pm and 8pm.
Executive Principal Andrew Clark said the school would open with classes for reception through to Year 4. “Parents will be able to apply via North East Lincolnshire’s admissions process which opens on 7th November,” he said.
He was pleased with the turnout to the first event. “They are an opportunity for parents and the local community to meet staff who will be working at the new school and give them an idea of what it will look and feel like,” he said.
“We’ve answered questions about enrichment and the curriculum and practical issues such as breakfast and after school clubs. These will be provided.
“This is not just about opening a school for children in reception. We have heard today from a lot of parents keen to move their older children to the school because its convenience will help their family routine.
“They want them to attend a more local school than they can at the moment.” One such parent was Rachel Campbell, who brought children Emmie (4) and Bella (6) to the event.
“The main thing will be how much easier it will be to take and pick up the children from school,” she said. “We live on Scartho Top and the new school will be around the corner. Bella’s excited that she will be able to go to it on her scooter.”
Kelly and Daniel Payne are looking to transfer Piper (6) to the school. “Our son Oliver is 10 so will miss out but this will be so much more convenient than at the moment,” she said. “There’ll be less driving because we will be able to walk.”
Fraya and Ben Grocott are also hoping to move their seven-year-old daughter to Scartho Gateway.
“Our youngest is two so it will be great for her in time,” Fraya said. “At the moment, we drive to school on Laceby Acres so we will be able to walk to school. We think it’s going to be very popular and we just want to ensure we can get them in.”
Emma and Jamie Burnett were already looking at schools for their six-month-old daughter. “It just makes perfect sense for us, living on Scartho Top,” she said.
The school is one of two new primaries being built to serve North East Lincolnshire. Waltham Gateway Primary Academy will open on land at Sunningdale in the village next September and be run by LGAT.
An open event will also be held at Waltham Library on Monday, September 23, between 5pm and 8pm for prospective parents of Waltham Gateway.
The local authority’s partner EQUANS has responsibility for the build with contractors Hobson and Porter. Any questions residents may have about the builds should be sent to Schoolbuildinbox@nelincs.gov.uk