New Stowmarket school Grace Cook Primary School is still taking applications

A headteacher is reminding parents there are still places open for a new Stowmarket school, set to open in September.

Richard Dedicoat head at Grace Cook Primary, in Chilton Leys, hopes that the school - named after a pioneering British astronomer, Alice Grace Cook, from Stowmarket - will be a place where pupils can aim high, keep trying and never give up.

“We will be focussing a lot on the aspects of growth and getting the best out of every pupil in the school,” said Richard.

The school will be able to accommodate 210 primary school pupils and a further 60 pre-school pupils in new, state-of-the-art education facilities.

In the lead up to the school’s opening day, Richard has been visiting future pupils at their homes, taking time to meet with parents and guardians and answer any queries they may have.

During his visits, Richard has delivered books written by Suffolk based author Nick Butterworth.

In addition, the acronym Growth, Resilience, Ambition, Community and Excellence, has been created using the school’s namesake to show families what the fundamental principles of the educational establishment will be when it opens.

“We want to capture the interest and imagination for learning the pupils have when they are young so that they continue to enjoy education in their later life,” added Richard.

Upon opening the school will initially accommodate pupils in Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, slowly expanding the year groups as pupils move through the educational establishment.

"Each month leading up to the opening of the school we will be putting on a series of events for parents and to get the children to know each other before they start, we want to unite the community surrounding the school," said Richard.

The construction of the school is being funded through Suffolk County Council’s capital programme and will be run by Orwell Multi Academy Trust (OMAT) who have involved the surrounding community in making key decisions about various aspects of the school.

The project has been managed by Concertus Design and Property Consultants.

For details on admissions visit: www.gracecook.omat.org.uk/