Plans were submitted to Suffolk County Council in October 2019, to relocate Thurston Church of England Primary Academy to a new site off Norton Road. 

The new facility will accommodate 420 students and a 30 place standalone Pre-school facility.

If plans go ahead, the new structure would replace the current Thurston Primary Academy, which only currently has capacity for just over 200 pupils at its School Lane site, therefore doubling in size.

The school will feature 14 classrooms, large hall, library and food science suite across two storeys.

A 30 place pre-school has also been included in plans, for pupils under the age of five with a large open plan design, connected to the primary school by footpaths between the buildings. 

Concertus Design and Property Consultants state in the planning application: “Well-designed and functional school buildings should seek to make a significant contribution to raising pupil achievement and educational standards.

“The environment needs to inspire and stimulate pupils learning as well as reflect advances in ICT technology and all the new opportunities this presents.”

Kathy Lambert, co-headteacher, confirmed the new school would be due to open in September 2021 and “The plans offer a brilliant new school designed for the pupils of the future,” 

She said: “It is very much needed as we are expecting new houses to be built in Thurston over the next few years and our school is already full with a growing demand already of prospective pupils and their parents showing an interest in attending all the time.”

During a consultation process, residents raised the issue of pupil drop-off and pick-up, limited parking and the if the design will be in keeping with the parish’s theme.

The application addresses these issues and resolves that the school will be within walking or cycling distance for its catchment area and therefore the majority of journeys will not be made by car. 

The designs of the school will also be in keeping with the character of the surrounding village.

*Image shows the proposed site plan, produced by Concertus Design & Property Consultants Limited

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