Anker Valley Primary School in Tamworth, Staffordshire, has been completed by Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson and marked by a grand opening ceremony
An opening ceremony for Anker Valley Primary School took place at the end of 2021 and guests included the MP Christopher Pincher, County Councillor Jonathan Price from Staffordshire County Council, representatives from G F Tomlinson and Head of School Natalie Horlor. 50 additional guests were invited.
The ceremony consisted of speeches, presentations, a performance, and a special mini awards ceremony for the children. The school was then officially opened by MP Christopher Pincher and County Councillor Jonathan Price.
G F Tomlinson led the construction of the £5million, two-storey school on behalf of its client Entrust for Staffordshire County Council. The school offers 210 places, including 26 nursery spaces. Tamworth’s new housing developments meant another school was needed in the area due to increasing numbers of children.
Fiertè Multi Academy Trust is managing the school as well as seven other schools in the Tamworth and Burton area.
G F Tomlinson, in partnership with Entrust, is involved with multiple educational schemes in the West Midlands.
‘We have strong experience in educational projects’
Chris Flint, managing director of G F Tomlinson, said:
“We are very pleased to see the newly-built Anker Valley Primary School now open, on behalf of our client Entrust for Staffordshire County Council, through their Construction Project framework.
“We have strong experience in educational projects across the Midlands and are delighted to have delivered this brand-new primary school to the Staffordshire region, providing much-needed school places for young children in the local area.
“The school sits within a new residential development in a great location close to the centre of Tamworth, and will provide high quality educational facilities for the growing community here.
“The opening ceremony was a wonderful way to mark the special occasion, and it was great to see the smiles on the children’s’ faces as they sang for attendees and explored their new school.”
‘A dream doesn’t become reality through magic’
Natalie Horlor, head of School at Anker Valley Primary School, commented:
“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic, it takes sweat, determination and hard work and so many people have worked tirelessly behind the scenes for almost three years to create this dream.
“The incredible Anker Valley team, along with the fantastic builders, went above and beyond unpacking deliveries, assembling furniture and getting every room ready for the arrival of our first cohort of children in September 2021.
“Everyone has a dream but not everyone can make it happen. As Eleanor Roosevelt said: the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams and at Anker Valley, we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for helping us to achieve our dream.”
‘Staffordshire is a growing county’
Maria Hamblin, CEO of the Fiertè Multi Academy Trust, added:
“G F Tomlinson has been excellent. They have worked very well with Tony Hand the Project Lead to deliver everything on time. We are incredibly proud to have been awarded this school within our Trust.”
Jonathan Price, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for Education (and SEND), said:
“Staffordshire is a growing county, with people moving to the area for good jobs, education and housing and the County Council has a long track record of successfully expanding existing schools, or providing brand new ones such as this.
“This fabulous new school will meet growing demand from housing developments in the area and I look forward to seeing it grow from strength to strength as teachers, pupils and parents turn it into a thriving community.”
