New term, new look at St Peter’s

AS CHILDREN return to classes this week, pupils at St Peter’s primary in Portishead will find their school looking very different to how they left it in July.

Work is under way on the expansion of the Halletts Way school, which will allow it to grow from a 420-pupil facility to one that can accommodate 630 pupils in September 2014.

A new car park is already in place for use by the staff this year and internal changes are complete, enabling the school to take 30 additional pupils as the current term begins.

Contractors have set up a secure site compound at the front of the school where the main extension will be built. However, fencing put up to create the compound has alarmed parents because of its close proximity to classroom windows.

One mother said: “We were told the building work would not affect existing pupils but tall fencing has been put up very close to classroom windows and I’m worried it will make the rooms very dark.”

The local authority has said the compound is designed to protect the school community and allow workers to build the new accommodation safely.

With no vehicular access to the Halletts Way entrance to the school this term, parents are being asked not to drive in to the road at all.

The school actively encourages pupils to walk to school, but those who travel to school by car are being asked to make use of the nearby free car parks, including the Folk Hall car park in the mornings and Roath Road car park at both ends of the school day.

A statement issued by North Somerset Council said: “There are currently no plans to introduce any parking charges in Portishead car parks so parents can make good use of free parking and continue the final part of their journey on foot.

“Plans are also under way for a new zebra crossing outside the Folk Hall in the High Street to provide a new convenient crossing place for all pedestrians and especially for the pupils of St Peter’s.”