On Friday 12th July, Shrivenham Church of England Primary School celebrated the grand opening of their new school building in Raven Way, Shrivenham. Staff, pupils and special guests joined at 1.30pm to cut the ribbon and officially declare the school open.
The site in Ravens Way, Shrivenham has 13 classrooms, outdoor play and dining areas as well as sports pitches, a forest school, and a studio.
It was built to teach up to 315 primary pupils and 75 pre-school (currently 212 pupils) replacing an older building on the High Street.
The new school building, approved by Oxfordshire County Council, opened its doors on the 12th April 2024 after a relocation and expansion project began back in 2021.
The first project meeting was February 2021, with planning permission being granted in August 2022, before the build got underway.
The spectacular new building was built by ISG, designed by Hatcher Prichard, with Mott MacDonald as Oxfordshire County Council’s technical advisers. The new site and part of the building cost was secured by Oxfordshire County Council from housing developers, with the balance of the £11m cost coming from Oxfordshire County Council.
At the opening ceremony, guests listened to speeches by Executive Headteacher Jude Scutt, Faringdon Learning Trust Chief Executive Richard Evans, Chair of Trustees Anthony Cook, Cllr John Howson, Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education and newly elected MP Charlie Maynard.
Children joined MP Charlie Maynard in cutting of the ribbon as well as creating a colourful paperchain with one chain representing each child in the school.
MP for Witney and Western Oxfordshire, Charlie Maynard said:
“Great to see the school opening and well done to everyone who made it happen. It’s taken a huge amount of work. What’s important is seeing and hearing how happy the children and staff are in their new school”.
Councillor John Howson, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Young People’s Services, said:
“The new school buildings will have big educational benefits for pupils at Shrivenham Church of England Primary School.
The school has been designed to achieve net zero carbon, with sustainability features including an air source heat pump system, a large photovoltaic array system on the school roof, and electric vehicle charging points.
It is yet another exciting project from the county council, working with communities and partners on our commitment to provide first class education in carbon neutral environments for Oxfordshire’s children and young people.”
Executive Headteacher, Jude Scutt said:
“Today is a joyful day for everyone in our school community as we mark the opening of our wonderful new school building. Over the last 18 months, we have watched the plans on paper transform into this amazing school.
We are proud that our vision and values already permeate through our new school; we are excited to continue to flourish here.
Excitedly, we are looking forward and keen to see what the future holds for everyone at Shrivenham C of E Primary School as we grow over time”.
Faringdon Learning trust Chief Executive, Richard Evans said:
‘I am delighted to see the staff, pupils and parents settle into their new school. Having visited the school multiple times over the past few weeks it is wonderful to see the children and staff embracing and relishing their amazing school and starting to breath life, creativity and a sense of community into the building.
The school works closely with the other schools within Faringdon Learning Trust and it is a delight to see Shrivenham sharing best practice with lots of other schools. I wish the school the very best for the future ‘
