£7.5m Warden Hill school officially opened

The brand-new primary school building for 420 pupils replaces the old building on the same site in Durham Close in Cheltenham. Designed by architects Roberts Limbrick and built by E. G. Carter, it has indoor and outdoor classrooms, outdoor play and dining areas, sports pitches, a daily mile track, a forest school, and nature areas throughout the site.

This low carbon building is the most environmentally friendly primary school in the county, designed in line with the county council’s pledge for a carbon neutral county by 2045. It has an air source heat pump and it creates its own electricity through solar panels.

In 2020, the county council identified Warden Hill Primary School as being the highest priority school in need of extensive refurbishment. Detailed investigations showed that it would be a more efficient use of resources to replace the building. The new school was built on the existing site and pupils moved in during March 2023. The old school has now been demolished and ground and landscaping works completed.

At the opening ceremony, guests listened to speeches by the Headteacher Georgina Flooks and Cllr Philip Robinson, the cabinet member for education, skills and bus transport at Gloucestershire County Council. A returning pupil read out her letter, one of many written last year to the future pupils of Warden Hill, which will be included in a time capsule. 

Coloured ribbons were cut by every pupil, as well as representatives from the school, the county council, E.G. Carter and Roberts Limbrick, to officially open the new building. 

Headteacher Georgina Flooks said: “To be part of this project, from the first ‘social distanced’ meeting on the field, to creating mood boards of the exteriors and interiors was a privilege. The experience Carters and Roberts Limbrick brought to our project was immeasurable. They have ensured that a stunning uniqueness was woven throughout the design – from the reading nooks to the practical room, to the calm feel of the classrooms and wide-open corridors. It allows us to teach a forward-thinking curriculum in a purposeful bespoke environment. It’s quite the legacy - quite simply, thank you.”

Cllr Robinson added: “It is so good to see the children settled in and I can see how pleased and proud the pupils are of their new school. Investing in our schools and creating superb learning environments – those are our top priorities, which is why we’re investing over £100 million in our county’s schools.”

Gavin Carter, Contracts Manager at E. G. Carter & Co Ltd, said "We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of the project at Warden Hill Primary School. The new building has truly been a collaborative team effort from inception to completion. We are excited to hear about the positive impact the new classrooms and enhanced space will have on the students."

Joe Roberts, Director at Roberts Limbrick, said: “Designing and delivering a replacement school building that embodies the school's ethos and cultivates a strong sense of belonging and community has been the outcome of an incredible team collaboration. It has been a privilege to participate in this transformative project. The new building provides a contemporary and dynamic learning environment and is one of the most sustainable new schools in the county.”

View more photos of the school and opening ceremony here.

For more information about the project, visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/warden-hill