There was a construction flavour to proceedings when Northern Road Primary School in the London Borough of Newham opened its doors this week to its first pupils.
Headmaster Neil Carpenter was joined by Skanska project manager Darren Sutcliffe and construction manager Mark Townley at his first lesson after the company completed the school under the PFI.
Mr Carpenter said, “The workmanship and facilities are second to none – this is a great facility in which to introduce young children to school life.”
The new school, which includes 12 classrooms and nursery, is fitted out with furniture and equipment such as clocks, chairs, tables alongside children's play items and a full kitchen.
It is part of a £23 million package of three schools Skanska is building in Newham for NUPPP. It is scheduled to finish a 1500-place secondary school later this month, while another primary school will be completed in July 2003.
Skanska is also building a 1,450-place secondary school in Redbridge, Essex called Oaks Park High in another PFI contract for NUPPP.