Consultation on a brand new 420 pupil primary school being built in Taunton is due to start next Monday (8th October). Families in the catchment area are being asked for their views on Nerrols School, which is to be run by the Richard Huish Trust. The 420 pupil school is currently under construction on Nerrols Drive at a cost of £7M and is due to open in September 2019.

Richard Huish Trust already sponsors a number of other schools in the area and is linked to Richard Huish Sixth Form College – rated outstanding by Ofsted. Work began on the site in the summer, next to a largely residential area where 260 houses are being built by Barratt and David Wilson Homes. The school will initially accept pupils in reception, Year 1 and 2 – rolling out for other years in subsequent terms.

The trust has appointed Mike Snowden as Executive Headteacher of Nerrols School, in addition to his current headship of North Town Primary School in Taunton. He said: “The establishment of Nerrols Primary School reflects the strong collaboration between Richard Huish Trust and North Town Primary School, which serves the community of north Taunton.

“I am totally committed to ensuring a successful start to the life of our new school. It will be a creative and innovative place of learning, where children will be encouraged to be as successful as they can be in all that they do.

“We want the children of Nerrols Primary School to develop lively and enquiring minds and to acquire knowledge and skills relevant to a fast changing world. We are eager to work in partnership with families and the local community to support our children, enabling them to develop and flourish, fulfilling their potential at school and in life as citizens of the world.”

John Abbott, Chief Executive of the Richard Huish Trust, said: “We are a locally based well established and growing Multi Academy Trust, which already has a presence in the North Taunton area. We pride ourselves in having a strong local and national reputation and a recognised identity across the town.

“As part of our mission we are committed to providing a values based primary and nursery school at the heart of our community, striving for excellence, enabling our children to achieve their highest potential in all areas of the curriculum. Our vision is to create a stimulating and enriching environment where each child is encouraged to learn, to develop as a whole and to understand their value and place in the world.”

The consultation period is from Monday 8 th October to Friday 30 th November, leaflets are being sent to families in the catchment area inviting them to comment on the proposals for the new school. There will also be an event on 25 th October, from 3 – 7pm at Brittons Ash Community Hall, when prospective parents will be able to see how the school will look and talk to Mr Snowden and other key figures involved with the project.

The school plans to open with 30 reception places, 15 Year 1 and Year 2 places in September 2019. It will also open a nursery/pre-school for 2-4 year olds.

For more information and your chance to comment on the plans, please see www.nerrolsprimary.co.uk

Notes for editors: To arrange an interview Mike Snowden or John Abbott or for more photos and plans please contact Lucy Atherton hello@lucyathertonpr.com 0778 6688833.

The media is also welcome to come to the consultation event on 25 th October, from 3 – 7pm at Brittons Ash Community Hall.

Background:
Nerrols School is a 14 classroom development being being built on a 2.7 acre site, which will include a 3G sports pitch, hard and soft play areas and parking for staff and visitors. It will have two 30 child forms in each of its seven year groups, along with a 26 place ground floor nursery. Also on the ground floor will be pupils up to Year 2, a library, group working rooms, the main hall, kitchen, stores and office and meeting space. A further eight classrooms for older pupils on the first floor, along with a small hall, a staff room, food science facility, group working room and stores, would be accessible by a lift on the first floor.