CHESTER’S newest primary school opened its doors last week with the creation of Chester Blue Coat CE Primary School.
The school, on Walpole Street in the Garden Quarter, has been formed by the amalgamation of the former Victoria Infant School and St Thomas of Canterbury Blue Coat CE Junior School which was based at the same site.
The school currently occupies the existing two buildings on the shared site, but plans have been submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council for a replacement £5.8m timber-framed school building on the existing playing field.
Work on the new premises is hoped to start in the autumn and the old buildings would then be demolished to make way for an up-to-date sports court and new field.
The new term has got off to an exciting start for pupils, with one of the first tasks being to help design the school’s logo.
The school has welcomed 60 new children in the Reception classes and, over the coming weeks, 45 new children will be inducted into the Nursery.
Children in Years 3 and 4 have already enjoyed working with a visiting artist and Year 4 pupils are now enjoying a residential trip to Beeston Outdoor Educational Centre.
The school will continue its strong links with the community and will be involved in next month’s Garden Quarter Festival, with Years 2 and 6 taking part in a performance co-ordinated by Matt Baker.
A celebration service to officially launch the school is planned to take place in St Thomas’s Church later this term.
The school is currently being led by the two former deputy heads, Amanda Ellis-Rushton and Moira McCallum, pending the appointment of a permanent head.
Mrs Ellis-Rushton said: “Everyone is really excited about the new school and looking forward to seeing building work begin on the field. It has been a long wait, but now we are glad to be working together as one school.”
