CONSTRUCTION is now underway at the new Longton Lane School.

Developer Tilbury Douglas has celebrated the official start of construction to redevelop Longton Lane Primary School in Rainhill on behalf of the Department for Education (Dfe) and St Helens Borough Council.

In attendance to mark the ‘ground breaking’ milestone where representatives from Longton Lane Primary School, the DfE, local authority and Tilbury Douglas.

High-quality two-storey school

Funded through the DfE’s 'School Rebuilding Programme' - with a financial contribution from St Helens Borough Council - the project includes construction of a high-quality two-storey school building that will contain 13 classrooms, staff accommodation, a main hall and kitchen - together and landscaping.

Replacing the existing building, the new school will also have a number of green credentials, with photovoltaic roof panels to generate electricity – while an uplift in car and cycle parking spaces, as well as the introduction of electric charging points, will support the council’s target of reaching net zero carbon by 2024.

The Tilbury Douglas team are committed to creating employment and training opportunities in line with St Helens Borough Council’s social value policy, with a plan targeting a social value return on investment of 43 per cent, helping to address the needs of the Rainhill community and supporting local supply chains.

Martin Horne, regional director – North West at Tilbury Douglas, said: “We are delighted to start work on this project for the Department of Education and St Helens Borough Council, building on our strong education portfolio within the North West. “At Tilbury Douglas, we are committed to investing in the communities in which we live, and work and we are looking forward to delivering this important project.”

'Learning environment to help them thrive'

Cllr Nova Charlton, St Helens Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “A good number of years of a child's life is spent in school so it’s important that they have the perfect learning environment to help them thrive on their journey through education - which the new Longton Lane Primary School will help achieve.

“Being in a modern, vibrant school, built for the future can make a world of difference to pupils and staff, so I'm delighted to see this development underway which is an investment to enhance educational experience and will be a benefit to the wider community and environment, too, while helping us as a council achieve our key priority of ensuring children and young people have a positive start in life."

Longton Lane Community Primary School, headteacher Linda Speed said: "We are delighted to be having a new building where the whole school will be together as one and it will ensure the best learning environment for our children to achieve their full potential.

"The new classrooms and facilities will support all our children on their educational journey and benefit pupils for many years to come.”