16 Dec 2002

Following the design and construction of completely new buildings and facilities by Interserve, Arundale and Pinfold primary schools have marked their official openings in true style with special guests and performances to match.

The Tameside Schools have been delivered under the Private Finance Initiative by The Pyramid Schools Consortium lead by Interserve Investments. Interserve Project Services were responsible for the innovative design and construction of the new schools, and Interservefm is undertaking the 30-year provision of services that commenced in early September.

The official opening of Pinfold School took place on 22nd October and the ceremony featured the welcome presence of Kevin Keegan who, as well as unveiling the school plaque, announced the lucky winners of a competition who will visit Manchester City Football Club with their teachers. The 10 boys and 10 girls who were selected also received items of the official club kit.

The pupils of Pinfold were highly involved in the rest of the day's programme as well, the highlight of which was a new school song written especially for the occasion. The children read out poems of their own and told about their feelings leaving their old school and joining the new one.

These personalised readings were also featured at the opening of Arundale Primary School on 15th November, where performances included dance routines choreographed to the latest chart hits and the choir giving a recital of 'We Are the Future'.

At Arundale it was James Purnell, MP for Stalybridge and Hyde and Roy Oldham, Executive Leader of the Council, MBE, who did the honours unveiling the plaque and inspecting the new school in what has been described by local press as a colourful and grand opening.

The spirit reflected at both schools' openings reflects the positive support the new schools have received since operations commenced in September. Of particular praise by staff and pupils is the state-of-the-art ICT suite and the community and sure-start rooms that have been included in both the Pinfold and Arundale primary schools.

The headteachers of both schools have reported that the atmosphere is both calm and stimulating. David Cole, the recently appointed headteacher of Arundale Primary School sees the buildings as 'a new start' and it is hoped that the new surroundings and facilities will raise levels of academic achievement.

The third school in the scheme, Alder Community High, is still under construction and is due to open to staff and pupils after the Easter break in 2003.

Read the case study for this project.