£10m 'green school' opens

Staff and pupils have hailed a £10 million state-of-the-art eco-school which has opened in Telford.

Old Park Primary School has opened in Malinslee after 11 months of work, following the merger of the nearby Langley St Leonards and Malinslee primary schools. Features of the new school include 19 new classrooms with interactive whiteboards and a sports hall, gym.

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It also boasts a food technology teaching area and eco-friendly heating and water facilities. Headteacher Mandie Haywood said: "It has been fantastic to see the new school taking shape in front of our eyes.

"We have been so excited to get into it.

"The children absolutely love it. Some were so excited to get in they got here extra early.

"The new facilities are going to make a huge difference to both the children and the staff. It is so calm and spacious."

Webcam

To help teach the children about the school's eco-facilities, such as its biomass boiler which heats the school using wood pellets, each piece of environmentally friendly machinery will be linked to a webcam.

Eight-year-old Sophie Birch, a Year 4 pupil, said: "I think it's amazing and awesome. It's so much bigger and I love all the new computers."

As well as eco-facilities, the 5,000 sq ft building has space for a private day nursery as well as new police, health and community facilities.

Work is now continuing on the outdoor landscaped play areas, sports facilities and ecological garden, which are designed to teach children more about the natural environment.

Miller Construction, which managed the project, also worked to minimise its carbon footprint in the building process, by recycling more than 75 per cent of its waste.

Jim Rowley, the company's project manager, said: "This has been a unique project for all of us.

"We have really got involved with the school like never before and are looking forward to being able to see them using the new facilities."

By Emma Black

nextpageOld Park Primary School, MalinsleenextpageAt Old Park Primary School are deputy head Sarah Machin, headteacher Mandie Haywood, assistant head Julie Bebb and pupils Tommy Yates, Ricky Kumar, Kelsey Tattersall and Heidi Gamble