TEACHERS and pupils in Woodbridge are celebrating today after a long-awaited new school was given the final go-ahead for construction.Work on the new Woodbridge Primary School in Pytches Road will begin later this month and the target date for the grand opening is spring next year.

TEACHERS and pupils in Woodbridge are celebrating today after a long-awaited new school was given the final go-ahead for construction.

Work on the new Woodbridge Primary School in Pytches Road will begin later this month and the target date for the grand opening is spring next year.

Contracts for the construction were signed this week and, if the new building is completed on time, the opening will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the land purchase for the old building in New Street.

Kevin Connolly, headteacher at Woodbridge Primary School, said: “This is an exciting time for all at the school.

“The new building has been designed to be inspiring and supportive in our teaching and learning, but it will also be flexible, which will enable us to involve even more of the community in the activities we can offer.”

In addition to the main school building a new enlarged library will be created within the old school buildings, with about 50 per cent more floor space than the current library, improved disabled access, extra space for computers and new areas for seating and children's activities.

Patricia O'Brien, Suffolk County Council's portfolio holder for children, schools and young peoples' services, said: “I'm very pleased with this exciting project.

“Not only will it transform primary education for the children of Woodbridge, it will also produce a separate library which can be enjoyed by the whole community.”

Preparations and planning for the new school have been going on behind the scenes with months.

The project is a public/private partnership project between G&E Woodbridge Consortium Ltd and Suffolk County Council.

Weblink: www.suffolk.gov.uk