Surgo

SURGO Construction, one of the north east’s leading education sector contractors, has completed work  on a brand new £7m primary school in Hartlepool.

The ageing Jesmond Road Primary School in Percy Street, which has been replaced with a modern, airy facility on a site in nearby Jesmond Gardens, is one of Hartlepool’s first projects to benefit from the Government’s Primary Capital Programme funding.

Designed to create a welcoming, inspiring and secure environment, the new 2,059 sq m single storey building accommodates 315 pupils plus nursery youngsters. Speaking of the state of the art building, head teacher Jane Loomes said:

“Everybody that comes to visit the school is impressed and we are very proud of what we have achieved. This is a wonderful opportunity to give our children the very best and that is what they deserve.”

The new building moves away from traditional teaching methods, with innovative features aimed at giving youngsters more independence. The building includes a “heart”, which is a central area which can be used for a wide range of activities including teaching, music and drama performances.

Great emphasis has also been placed on the landscaping around the building in a clear move away from the traditional design of school grounds, as a combination of hard surfaces and grass.

At the rear of the school a secure outdoor area has been created for educational activities and recreation. This includes a variety of habitat zones including mini woodlands, reed beds and wildflower areas. Canopies on the outside of the building provide additional sheltered learning areas and there is also an amphitheatre. 

SURGO started on site in July 2010 and completed the work in September 2011. To reflect its move into a new building on a new site, the school has changed its name to Jesmond Gardens Primary School.