More than 200 new places have been created for local children at St Keyna Primary School in Keynsham following a £5.3 million expansion by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The project has doubled the size of the school and taken it to two-form entry, allowing it to accommodate up to 420 pupils.
The new building, which opened to pupils this term, has been designed and constructed to Passivhaus standards. These energy-efficient standards are expected to reduce both carbon emissions and energy costs over the long term.
New teaching spaces have been designed to provide consistent internal temperatures and improved acoustics, helping pupils concentrate in a comfortable learning environment.
The £5.3m investment also included improvements to the school grounds. These feature a dipping pond, new outdoor play equipment, a new football pitch and a second pedestrian entrance on Kelston Road.
The expansion will help provide school places for children living in new housing developments and meet growing demand in the area.
Councillor Paul May, cabinet member for Children’s Services at Bath & North East Somerset Council, said, “It’s wonderful to see children enjoying their new learning spaces at St Keyna Primary. The opening of the expanded building is a positive moment for families in Keynsham, enabling more children to learn close to home in a building designed around their needs.
“By investing in a highly energy-efficient school, we’re showing our commitment not only to better long-term outcomes for children, but also to taking meaningful action on the climate emergency by reducing carbon emissions.”
Sue MacGrain, chair of governors at St Keyna Primary School, added, “We’re delighted with our new building. It’s a lovely environment for the children to learn in, as it has been finished beautifully with a lot of thought given to aesthetic qualities.
“Because it has been built to Passivhaus standards we’re looking forward to low energy bills which will allow us to spend more of our income directly on the children. We’re also very excited about the developments to the grounds, which will provide even more opportunities for the children to play, relax and learn in the outdoor environment.”
The project was funded through Basic Need Grant funding, Section 106 contributions and Community Infrastructure Levy contributions.
Designed by Quattro Design Architects of Gloucester, the nine-month construction project was delivered by Bath-based contractor H Mealing & Sons, working alongside Method Consulting, Curtins and Zero Energy.
An official opening ceremony for the expanded building is planned for later this spring.
