Pupils and staff at Bridgewater School in Scotswood are celebrating the opening of major new and refurbished facilities following a £3.5 million investment in the school.
The new extension was officially opened today by ITV Tyne Tees presenter Ian Payne, who cut the ribbon alongside pupils before children released blue and yellow balloons to mark the occasion.
The investment has transformed facilities at Bridgewater, combining new accommodation with the refurbishment of part of the school dating from the 1970s.
The project forms part of Newcastle Labour’s investment in school buildings, ensuring children have high-quality facilities in which to learn as the wider Scotswood community continues to grow and regenerate.
Bridgewater provides education and childcare for children from birth through to the end of primary school and plays an important role in the local community.
Investment in the school is particularly important as major regeneration takes place around it, including the construction of new family homes at The Rise.
Improving and expanding Bridgewater will help ensure that investment in new housing is matched by investment in the services and facilities families need.
The project has provided improved accommodation for pupils and staff while helping the school respond to changing demand as Scotswood develops.
The council’s 2014/15 accounts recorded £2.9 million of capital expenditure on the refurbishment and extension of Bridgewater School, with the completed project subsequently valued at £3.5 million.
Council Leader Cllr Nick Forbes said: “Investing in Scotswood isn’t simply about building new homes. It is about investing in the whole community and making sure local children have excellent places in which to learn and grow.
“The improvements at Bridgewater are a significant investment in the future of this community and will provide better facilities for pupils, teachers and families.
“As regeneration continues across Scotswood, Labour wants to make sure investment in housing goes hand-in-hand with investment in schools and the other services that make a community a good place to live.”