Works have now completed on a new £5.2million primary school by regional contractor G F Tomlinson – with the school set to open this September serving youngsters from nearby housing developments.

Construction began on Poppyfield Primary Academy - located in Hednesford, Cannock - last September, as part of the area’s major re-development, which also includes the building of over 700 new homes and several shopping outlets.

The school has been built to accommodate the children from families who have recently moved to the area, with a number of new-build housing estates in the surrounding region. The official opening will be held on Thursday 19 September.

Poppyfield, located on a former greenfield site, will be openings its doors for pupils for the first time in September at the start of the new school year – and will be teaching pupils from ages 4-11 once it reaches full capacity.

Within its first year, it will only be offering places within its nursery and reception years; after this growing year-on-year before reaching its full volume of 210 pupils and 26 nursery children.

Places have started filling up for the school’s first year – with accepted students having received the chance to visit the site with parents throughout the construction phase to allow them to see the school while it was being built.

G F Tomlinson secured the contract through the Staffordshire Construction framework, for Staffordshire County Council, Entrust and the Victoria Academies Trust. It is the construction giant’s first project as part of the framework but the fourth development within the Cannock area – with further projects in the pipeline across the West Midlands.

The school consists of seven main classrooms to accommodate 32 pupils each, as well as two smaller group rooms for groups of 16. The exterior of the school consists of a large playing field, a multi-use games area, a woodland area, playground and car parking.

Chris Flint, director at G F Tomlinson, said:

“We’re delighted to complete works at the new Poppyfield Primary Academy, and provide essential education places for the growing community within this area. The region is definitely on the up seeing sustained growth with a number of developments taking place across all sectors.

“We’re looking to expand further into the West Midlands and look forward to growing our portfolio of projects across the region.”

County Councillor Philip White, Cabinet Member for Learning and Employability at Staffordshire County Council, said:

“Ensuring there are enough good school places available to parents is a key priority for the county council. Poppyfield Academy has been built in response to new housing in the local area, and we are proud to help create a school with a real community ethos, that can provide an excellent education for local children.

“The school is looking magnificent and I am sure it will offer an inspirational learning environment for local children.”