Date for school rebuild work 'best Christmas present'

Plans were first revealed three years ago when it was included in a major multi-million pound scheme announced by the government.

The detailed proposals for the carbon neutral building were approved by Broadland District Council earlier this year and work can begin in the New Year with a scheduled completion date of August 2027.

Daniel Thrower, CEO of The Wensum Trust, said: “We are looking forward to work starting on our new school - it’s the best Christmas present we could have wished for. 

“It has taken a lot of work to get this far and I know our staff, children and the wider community are looking forward to a bright future for Firside Junior School.

“We would like to thank everyone who has been involved in getting the project over the line and ready for the contractors to move in, including MP Alice Macdonald and members of Hellesdon Parish Council.”

The original school was built in 1937 and its replacement will be a two-storey building constructed on part of the current playing field. The old building will be demolished when the new one is fully complete.

Headteacher Roz Robinson said: “This is truly wonderful news that marks a pivotal moment for our entire community. 

“The new facilities are specifically designed to be a school for the future, providing an inspiring learning environment that will benefit all our children, staff, families, and the wider community of Hellesdon for generations to come. 

“We look forward to opening the doors to a new era of education at Firside Junior School. I would like to thank everyone who has helped us to make this possible.”

Aside from a state-of-the art building offering high educational standards, the school will have a new multi-use games area (MUGA).

“I’m really pleased to be at Firside Junior School to celebrate two fantastic occasions. Firstly, a contact is finally being signed which will deliver a new school building and additional sports areas for pupils here at Firside. I look forward to working with Wensum Trust, the council and DfE to ensure that the new school is built as quickly as possible and students have the very best learning environment,” said Norwich North MP Alice Macdonald.

“Secondly, I’m pleased to present prizes to pupils who took part in my Christmas card competition. The entries were all excellent - a testament to the talent of the pupils and the dedication of their teachers. Thank you to all the pupils who took part at Firside and other schools across the constituency.”

The school was initially part of the second set of 50 schools selected by the Department for Education to be included in the School Rebuilding Programme, which was announced in July 2021.

Costs are being covered for the new building which will see a modern education environment with new facilities catering for 350 pupils and 31 staff. There is no capacity expansion with the new building.