Coghlan mansion to be seized
YOUNGSTERS were in a class of their own as they celebrated the official opening of their new nursery.
Pupils at Bank Lane Infants’ nursery, in Offerton, have been in the building since the beginning of the summer term.
But the facility had its ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday in front of happy children and a host of dignitaries.
The project has been in the pipeline since 2010 and fundraising began in 2012 as 80 per cent of the cost has been met by the council and 20 per cent by the school.
Headteacher Liz Newson said: “We are delighted.
“It is a substantial building that will serve the community well into the future.
“The children adore it and took to the transition moving from the old building as though it was the most normal thing in the world.
“It will make a huge difference long term.
“Staff and reception pupils can now come to the building so there will be more familiarity and greater fluidity to children’s education.”
The nursery has places for 40 children and the infant school has 270 pupils.
New facilities include a learning space, parent room that can be used by the community, staff room, snack area with double doors which can make it an outside area, changing room and even a utility room for washing clothes.
There is also an outside play area that has been equipped with the help of a £10,000 grant from the Lottery.
At the opening ceremony there was a visit from the Mayor Chris Gordon, local councillors and council schools boss Stephen Bell.
The old demolished building had been on site for around 50 years and was a prefabricated wooden structure.
But it had fallen into a poor state with the timber fabric and felt roof decaying.
It was knocked down after a planning application for the new build was approved last year.
Mrs Newson said: “It was a timber prefabricated building that was not fit for purpose, you could virtually put your hand through the wall.
“Now we have the most gorgeous nursery. The children have been involved through the whole process.
“They have put hard hats on and watched the work, builders have come in for safety talks.
“They have very much been part of the journey.”