Oake New School

New school underway

Big day for children from Oake, Bradford and Nynehead

A turf-cutting ceremony was held on 30 March 2010 to mark the start of construction for the new church school in Oake.
The building will accommodate children and staff from Oake and Bradford and Nynehead schools when they amalgamate in September.
Four classrooms, a permanent provision from the existing preschool, offices, cloakrooms and toilets are being built.
The existing old Oake School building is being retained.
The project, costing just over £1.25 million, is being funded by Somerset County Council with contributions from the Department of Children, Schools and Families as well as the Oake and Bradford and Nynehead Schools' Federation.
The ceremony brought together key figures in the partnership including the schools, Somerset County Council and Mouchel, joint managers for the project, the Diocese of Bath and Wells, Elliot Fastrack and the children.
Sue Davies, Chair of Governors said: "It is fantastic, at last, to have Elliot Fastrack on site and to see the building begin.
The decision to amalgamate the two schools was a difficult one.
However the new school will give the children from the three villages of Oake and Bradford and Nynehead, the opportunity to be taught in a modern, light, bright building with the latest technology to support their learning.
The staff, from both schools, and the governors are very excited about the new school and are looking forward, in September, to welcoming the children and their families."
Thanks to Somerset County Gazette 20 May 2010

Thoughts on our new school

Cloud Callout: I am feeling mixed emotions on the new school, as it looks like it could be an amazing hi-tech, eco-friendly building, but on the other side of my emotions I feel upset I will not be here to view the finished school. I have seen samples of possible new computers and equipment. It looks like it could have more technology than The Gadget Show! The new head teacher Mr Gilding seemed a fine, kind and considerate man. I feel he has great plans for the new school. I also feel he has a good sense of humour. I can’t help but feel that the school is going up so quickly yet the Foreman of the site, Len Smith, says there is still a lot to do. It has also been an educational time when visiting the site office and learning all manner of things.

Arthur Baverstock
Year 6
(Arthur will be moving to senior school this year)

Bonnie Bow - Thompson
Year 5

THE BUILDING PROJECT IN PICTURES

Up, up and away ...

making space for the foundations of the new classroom block

The pictures below were taken from the site office on a daily basis up to early May - here's a selection

May 23
A view from the west showing
the size of the project

June 7 - roof timbers awaiting tiles on the north side

men at work - tiling is almost complete on the south side
with the brick layers starting work shortly

June 21 - the roof now completely tiled

Pictures of progress will now be dependent upon the goodwill of the contractors
as health and safety will not allow villagers to photograph inside the building

pictures below from the pavement outside school

early August

Mid August

The winning design on new uniform represents
the three villages of Oake, Nynhead and Bradford.

Balloons launched at the opening ceremony
carried wishes from the pupils

The story of the new school for Oake

New school underway