Completion ceremony held at new £4.9m Suffolk school

We recently celebrated the successful completion of the new Pines Primary School in Red Lodge, Suffolk with a ribbon-cutting opening ceremony. The project for Suffolk County Council includes reception, year one and year two places, with pupils having already joined the school at the beginning of this academic year. It also includes the Pine Cones Pre-School, which offers childcare for two to five year olds, alongside the existing one-form entry primary school. The new school was successfully completed on time and on budget at £4.9 million, providing first-class facilities for 210 pupils in the Red Lodge community.

The brand new school was opened by a guest of honour, Tony Mitton. The award-winning children’s author, whose poetry is irresistible to children and adults alike, cut the ribbon at the ceremony. Saul Humphrey, Managing Director of Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure in the East region, said: “The journey from concept to completion is a rewarding experience. It is even more pleasing when you recognise the extent to which that project will impact the local community. We are incredibly proud to hand over the completed building, at the start of the new academic year to the Pines’ first cohort of pupils. We are confident that the new facilities will not only support the Red Lodge community with its immediate requirements but create a legacy that will be of benefit for generations to come.”

Councillor Gordon Jones, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, said: “The Pines school is a fantastic new facility. This is a very proud moment for everyone – staff, governors, pupils, parents, carers and, of course, Suffolk County Council. The school makes a significant investment in education in the west of the county. Children will benefit from first class facilities that will help them reach their full potential.”

Headteacher at the Pines, Kerry Darby, said: “We are delighted with the outcome of our new school. The completed state-of-the-art building has surpassed our expectations and is allowing us to deliver an enriching and engaging curriculum for all our current and future ‘Pines Pioneers’. We are proud to open what we believe will become an outstanding educational facility and are honoured to be joined by members of the Red Lodge and Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure communities for our special opening ceremony.”

Project partners on the scheme included design and property consultants, Concertus. Andrew Rowe, Managing Director at Concertus Design & Property Consultants said: “We are delighted to be celebrating the official opening of the Pines Primary School, the team’s collaborative working goes hand in hand with the project’s success. A big thank you to everyone for their hard work.”