Warwickshire’s latest school project breaks ground in Shottery
Spades were at the ready and hard hats on as work officially began on the new Shottery St Andrew’s CofE Primary School, as it prepares to relocate to a new site.
Representatives and students from the school, Warwickshire County Council, main contractor Speller Metcalfe, Pick Everard and the wider project team gathered last week to mark the important milestone.
The £11.3 million scheme will see the relocation and expansion of the existing school to a larger site to the west of Shottery. The two-form entry facility will provide capacity for up to 420 primary pupils and a 36-place nursery, alongside specialist resourced provision for up to eight primary-aged pupils.
Johnny Kyriacou, Warwickshire County Council’s Director for Education, said: “Commencement of work on the new school is a positive step for the Shottery community. The school has been carefully planned to meet local need, support future growth and provide high-quality facilities for pupils that sit well within their surroundings. We look forward to see all of this come to fruition.”
Louise Withers, headteacher at Shottery St Andrews CofE Primary school, added: “Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do at Shottery St Andrew’s and, whilst we are very proud of the work we do in our current, limited space, the new building has been designed with inclusion at its core. It will enable us to meet the needs of all learners, including a dedicated specialist resourced provision, which is so essential in ensuring every child has access to the opportunities and experiences they need to thrive. It will be a place where every child feels welcomed, valued and supported.”
The new school will feature a dedicated hall and dining space, specialist group and intervention rooms, a playing field, and habitat areas, supported by external landscaping.
Mark Hudgeon, regional director at Speller Metcalfe, added: “We’re delighted to see works now underway on Shottery St Andrew’s CofE Primary School. The new, larger site will provide more space, improved facilities, and better outdoor areas for pupils, staff, and local families. It’s a pleasure to be working with Warwickshire County Council again, and as a project delivered through the CWM framework, we’re able to ensure high-quality construction that meets the school community’s needs for years to come.”
Brian Fisher, associate director of architecture at Pick Everard, commented: “Breaking ground at Shottery St Andrew’s CofE Primary School marks a step closer to providing a place where even more children can thrive.
“The building has been carefully planned to support both learning and wellbeing, with light-filled classrooms, inclusive spaces and outdoor areas that encourage exploration and connection. We are pleased to be playing a role in delivering a school that will serve local families for many years to come.”
This project builds on the successful collaboration between Warwickshire County Council and Speller Metcalfe, which has delivered a number of school facilities across the county, including Stratford High School, Myton Gardens Primary School, and currently under construction, Watling Meadows Primary School.
Over the last decade, the council have been committed to creating over 12,000 new school places and opening more than a dozen new schools to support population growth.
With construction now underway, Speller Metcalfe and the project team will continue working closely with Warwickshire County Council and partners to deliver a high-quality school that meets the needs of the community now and into the future.
The project is procured through the Constructing West Midlands framework and is set to complete in spring 2027.
