Good morning everyone,
It is my great pleasure to welcome you all here today as we celebrate a truly significant moment in the history of Earls Barton Primary School: the official opening of our wonderful new extension and facilities.
Today is about much more than bricks and mortar. It is about children, community, opportunity and the future.
For generations, education has been at the heart of village life in Earls Barton. Many of us here will have our own memories of the former Earls Barton Infant School and Earls Barton Junior School. For many years, these two schools served the children and families of our village with distinction, helping countless young people take their first steps on their educational journey.
The merger of the infant and junior schools into Earls Barton Primary School marked an important chapter in that story. It brought together two proud traditions and created one school community with a shared vision, shared values and shared aspirations for every child.
Today, we celebrate the next stage in that journey.
As our village continues to grow, so too does the need for high-quality educational provision. The addition of five new classrooms represents a major investment in the future of our children and our community. These classrooms provide the space, facilities and flexibility needed to meet the needs of a growing school, ensuring that generations of children to come will benefit from outstanding learning environments.
Projects of this scale do not happen by accident. They require vision, commitment, expertise and partnership.
I would therefore like to extend our sincere thanks to North Northamptonshire Council for their support and investment in this project. Their commitment to education and to the future of our village has made this development possible.
I would also like to thank Lindum Construction for their professionalism, craftsmanship and dedication throughout the build. They have delivered a building of which we can all be proud.
Our thanks also go to Kulvinder Obi from Stenson Obhi architects, whose thoughtful architectural design has transformed a vision into reality. The result is a building that is both practical and inspiring, one that sits beautifully within our school environment whilst meeting the needs of modern education.
We are equally grateful to the sponsors and supporters who contributed towards our wonderful Early Years outdoor area. Your generosity has helped create a special space where our youngest children can learn, explore, imagine and thrive. Thanks to our PTA, Mineral Star construction, Shellplant, Twenty9 and T Sharpe windows
One of the most significant features of this development is that it physically connects the former infant and junior school buildings for the very first time. What was once separated is now united.
This new extension forms a bridge between our past and our future, creating a seamless school experience for every child from Reception through to Year 6. It is a visible symbol of the journey we have been on as a school community and of the strength that comes from working together as one.
The impact has already been remarkable.
The extension has brought our school closer together, not only physically, but as a community. Our children are learning in fit-for-purpose, modern, light and airy classrooms that inspire curiosity, creativity and ambition. These are spaces designed for learning in the twenty-first century, where children are encouraged to achieve their very best and fulfil our school motto of Excellence in Everything.
Every day, we see our pupils living out that motto and embodying our school values. This new environment provides them with the opportunity to continue doing so, supported by facilities that match their potential and aspirations.
We are particularly delighted by the addition of our new Early Years outdoor area and indoor creative room. These wonderful spaces have already become a much-loved part of school life. They provide safe, engaging and custom-designed environments where our youngest children can play, discover, create and learn. We know that these early experiences lay the foundations for lifelong learning, and we are proud to offer facilities that give our children the very best start.
As part of this special day, we wanted to recognise not only our new facilities but also the unity they represent. And so, our children were invited to help shape the future of our school by voting for names for each of our buildings.
I am delighted to announce those names today.
The former infant school building will now be known as The Dawn Building — representing the beginning of each child's educational journey, where young minds awaken to the excitement and possibilities of learning.
The former junior school building will now be known as The Beacon Building — a fitting name for the place from which our older children shine their light into the future as they move on to pastures new, carrying with them the knowledge, skills and values they have developed here at Earls Barton Primary School.
And our new connecting classroom block will be known as The Horizon Building — a name that beautifully reflects both its position and its purpose. It connects our landscape, our school and our learning journey; it is where Reception children rise into Key Stage 1 and where Year 3 children rise into Key Stage 2. It represents growth, progress and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.
Together, The Dawn Building, The Horizon Building and The Beacon Building tell the story of every child's journey through EBPS: beginning, growing and shining.
This development stands as a lasting testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared purpose. It is a source of pride for our school, our village and everyone who has contributed to making it a reality.
Most importantly, it is a gift to our children—both those who learn here today and those who will walk through these doors for many years to come.
Thank you to everyone who has played a part in this remarkable project.
And thank you all for joining us today to celebrate this exciting new chapter in the story of Earls Barton Primary School.
It is now my great pleasure to hand over to Rob Hardscatle, Hatton Academy Trust to perform the ribbon cutting.
Thank you.