Purpose-built nursery opens at Luton Primary School after decades of children being taught in a rundown mobile classroom

by Nicola Jordan

njordan@thekmgroup.co.uk

For decades, young schoolchildren have had to put up with being taught in a run-down mobile building.

But now, little ones will benefit from the opening of a purpose-built nursery at Luton Primary School in Chatham.

Chatham and Aylesford MP Tristan Osborn chats to little ones with (from left) Cllr Vince Maple, leader of Medway Council , Tina Lovey, trust chief executive and Kerri Edge, trust deputy chief executive

The school, in one of Medway’s most deprived areas, is also one of the most diverse in the country, with 58 languages being spoken.

The new facility will provide essential early care and support for up to 64 pre-school pupils in the community.

Fittingly, Cllr Vince Maple, Medway Council leader and former pupil, performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside Chatham and Aylesford MP Tristan Osborne last Monday (October 13).

Liz Gamet, head of school, said: “There’s been a steady decline in nursery places locally.

“The nursery will be a fantastic provision for the community.

Pupils from Luton Primary School celebrate the opening of the nursery

“The old structure was costing the school a lot of money. The pipes would freeze in winter and it would get unbearably hot in the summer.

“It also had steps leading up to it, so it wasn’t inclusive or environmentally sound.

“The flat structure of the new building makes it more inclusive and means we can expand our offering moving forward.”

The school head says the new nursery means they will now be able to meet families a lot earlier and put provisions and support in place earlier, if needed.

“It allows us to lay down a good, healthy routine for the younger children, preparing them better for school in the years to come,” she added.

Also attending the school, which is part of the Rivermead Inclusive Trust, were ward councillors Simon Curry and Joanne Howcroft-Scott.

Tina Lovey, the trust’s chief executive, said: “The trust is dedicated to providing places for young people in the community.

“The opening of this nursery is a great example of building relationships with our immediate community and giving young people a solid foundation of teaching, learning and nurture, at a very young age.”

The trust worked in collaboration with Medway Council and Luton Primary School to provide extra places at the nursery and on the design to ensure a more inclusive building.

The three-form entry school in Luton Road has 365 children on the roll and is one of the largest primary schools in Medway.