REORT OF THE

Cabinet / Leader

PART II

PINEWOOD INFANT SCHOOL, FARNBOROUGH

On 16 June 2006 the Executive Member for Policy and Resources approved a project appraisal for a new one-form entry infant school with pre-school and specialist resource provision on the site of the former Pinewood Infant School, Farnborough which was destroyed by fire in 2003. The total cost of the build is £3,295,000 with the majority of the funding coming from the County Council together with a contribution of £70,000 from the school and a further £43,000 from Rushmoor Borough Council. It is anticipated that work will commence on site in July 2006.

The new accommodation will include three classrooms, a main hall, library, music/drama room. It will also offer other improved facilities including speech, language and communication needs provision, together with facilities that can be used by the community.

The new school will be built with state-of-the art comprehensive fire and smoke detection systems that include a direct link from the alarm system to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. The single-storey building will also have fire protection features built into it that are over and above the minimum requirements of current regulations further reducing the risk of fire spreading in the unlikely event that a fire takes hold internally.

The County Council will also investigate the opportunity to link the school CCTV system into the Rushmoor Borough Council's CCTV monitoring system to provide additional reassurance to parents, staff and the local community.

It is anticipated that once the works are completed pupils, parents, staff and the local community will benefit greatly from the improved facilities on offer at the school.

T. K. THORNBER, C.B.E.,
Leader.