Owler Brook opens extension

Story: Fran Belbin

The expansion of local primary schools continues with a £3.8m extension at Owler Brook Nursery, Infant and Junior School, opened by Lord Mayor John Campbell on Monday 11th March. Owler Brook will now be able to take pupils up to Year 6, offering an extra 150 primary school places to local children.

Visitors to the opening event, including local MP David Blunkett, were treated to dance and martial arts performances by current Owler Brook pupils. Headmistress Sue Bridges described the reaction to the latest development:

“The children, parents, staff and whole community are thrilled with the new building. Children deserve to be educated in the best possible environment and this building really does the job.”

New facilities include a food technology room, a media hub and an outdoor play deck; the addition of a caretaker's house has freed up even more room for teaching and learning inside.

The growing demand for school places in the north east of Sheffield has prompted the Owler Brook expansion. St Catherine's, Pye Bank and Whiteways primary schools have also been extended, and a new primary on Skinnerthorpe Road is scheduled to open in September 2014.