The extensive refurbishment and extension project at Hungate primary school is well underway with work due to complete in April 2021. The £2.5 million refurbishment and extension will almost double capacity and meet growing population demands.
Some of the students have had the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by signing some of the steel on the school site. Five pupils from each class were selected to sign the steel in a Covid – secure environment. Each of the five pupils were chosen to sign the steel based on points that they had been awarded for behaviour during school.
Sophie Pal, seven, was one of the year three students chosen to write on the steel and said “I was the only girl in my class who signed the steel and I was really excited. I asked Steve how long it would take to build and he said it will be ready for when the Easter Bunny comes. When we accidentally kick the ball over, the builders throw it back to us.”
Harrison Sanders, seven, who is also in year three said: “I’m used to it because my dad is a builder and lets me sign the steel where he works. I really liked doing it”.
Sewell Construction are carrying out the work on the school whilst it remains open and are working with lead consultants Align Property Partners on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council. Work began on the School in July and is being completed in three phases with lots of the work already completed.
Due to the excellent relationship between Sewell Construction and Hungate School, ongoing work is being carried out safely whilst the school remains open to pupils. The children were introduced to the Sewell team via a presentation and are able to watch the building work from a safe distance and ask the Sewell team any questions they may have.
The Deputy Headteacher of Hungate Primary School Fiona Mackay said: “The local village has had over 700 new houses built and the population has increased, so we need a new building. The children loved signing the steel and were so excited. As it worked so well, we’re going to run the same points challenge each half term and we hope all of the children, as well as the staff, will have had chance to visit the site by the time the project is completed. We have a great relationship with the Sewell team and they’re really professional and efficient. Their pictures are on our notice board along with their names and a little bit of information about themselves. We asked them to write their first names on their hard hats and they’re definitely part of our school family.”
This project will enable the school to allocate more school places in the future and will benefit many of the families in Sherburn. The children who have signed the steel will also have an excellent story to tell future generations at Hungate School.
If you would like to find out more information about this project then please click here to read the full press release from Sewell Construction.