Stowmarket: Grace Cook Primary and Nursery School opens

The school has been named Grace Cook Primary and Nursery, after a community consultation chose to name it after the British astronomer, Alice Grace Cook, who lived in the Suffolk town.

Suffolk County Council received planning permission to build the new school in April 2021.

The construction delivery team (Image: Matthew Power Photography)

MP for the Bury St Edmunds Jo Churchill, Town Mayor and Consort councillors Barry and Heather Salmon and members of the Astronomical Society were at the opening.

Richard Dedicoat, headteacher at the school, said: "It has been an exciting journey working alongside R G Carter, Concertus and Suffolk County Council to finally open Grace Cook Primary School and Nursery.

"We aim to capture the interest and imagination of our pupils and inspire them to aim high, keep trying and never give up.

"Dream it, believe it, achieve it."

Grace Cook Primary School and Nursery (Image: Matthew Power Photography)

The new two-storey school, which is part of Orwell Multi-Academy Trust, comprises eight classrooms, a large hall and kitchen, with space for 210 children.

The new single-storey nursery consists of two main playrooms and a kitchen, with space for 60 children.

Included within the design is a new football pitch, ball court and outdoor play areas, as well as covered bike shelters on site to encourage more children to cycle to school.

The school has been designed for further extension (Image: Matthew Power Photography)

The school has also been designed to accommodate future expansion and meet population growth in the area.

The main contractor, R G Carter started work on the school in May 2021.

Jake Betts, contract manager at R G Carter, said: "We're extremely proud at R G Carter to have played a part in this exciting development.

"We would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work in delivering this creative learning environment and look forward to seeing the positive and lasting impact it will have on children, teachers, parents and the local community for many years to come."

Grace Cook Primary School and Nursery (Image: Matthew Power Photography)