Work starts on delayed new primary school

Work has finally got under way building a "state-of-the-art" primary school on a new housing estate after "unforeseen delays".

Overstone Park Primary will serve the Overstone Leys development on the edge of Northampton.

It was originally due to be completed in September, but the building will not be ready until April 2026.

The Northampton Free School Trust (NFST), which will run it, said it would be "worth the wait".

Overstone Park will be based just off the A143 bypass, as part of the new housing development to the north-east of town.

It will be modelled on the existing Wootton Park School to the south of Northampton, which is run by the same trust and caters for all years from reception to sixth form.

The new school's first 30 pupils will be taught at Wootton Park for the first two terms until the new buildings are ready.

West Northamptonshire Council said the late opening of the school was due to "unforeseen delays".

When it reaches full capacity, it will have 420 pupils aged four to 11.

The final cost of the new school is expected to be £13.65m, with contributions of £10.45m from housing developers and a further £1m from the Department for Education.

The council said it would find the remaining £2.2m and seek to recoup the sum from extra levies on developers.

Dan Rosser, chief executive officer of NFST, said: "We are excited that construction work on our flagship building is now forging ahead.

"With living walls, a large main hall and studio area, library, ICT, DT and food technology facilities plus wonderful outdoor facilities including a covered play area, an amphitheatre, a trim trail, a multi-use games area and a large hard-standing playground, it will certainly be worth the wait."

Fiona Baker, council cabinet member for education, said: "Work starting on the groundworks is a significant step forward in delivering high-quality education for families in the Overstone Leys area."

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