1. Rear Double Storey Extension
The rear double storey extension has increased the size of the school hall by around 75% by rotating it and building over the grass bank on the side of the playground. It can be partitioned for multiple uses and has new flooring and lighting. A new store room for hall equipment and tables, benches and chairs has been created to gain even more space in the hall.
As part of the project, the kitchens have been fully refurbished with new commercial equipment installed throughout. A fixed servery has also been created through to the kitchens from the hall, which has helped with the service of food at lunchtimes for all ages by expanding the choices with more oven space and heated storage.
Underneath the hall on the new lower ground floor is large specialist classroom that will accommodate a new multi purpose room, and next to the hall is a new library.
2. Front Double Storey Extension
A new entrance lobby has been created where the fire escape and bin cupboards were at the side of the school, next to the Transition entrance and kitchen back door. New toilets have been installed, with a covered waiting area and benches outside for parents. There is also a new large classroom built above the new entrance lobby, which has been allocated to our Year 6 class.
3. Car Park and Drop-off/Pick-up Area
The wasteland at the bottom of our second field has become a car park and dropping-off/picking-up area, with independent access from Warren Hill. Staff and parents are now able to park and drop off whilst on our own site. A new track along the bottom of our main field has been installed to link the car park and pathway leading to our bottom gate. One of our caretaking team are on duty in the area at the start of each day to ensure that children make their way safely through the site to the building.
In addition to all of these projects, our Lower Kindergarten has been enlarged and reshaped, with a new outside play area that is more conducive to free flow learning.
All in all, this was a £1.1 million building project which has increased and modernised the facilities that Oaklands has to offer, and Oaklands is delighted that all children are able to make use of these improvements.
