A new educational institution has officially opened in Stafford, England, with the aim of serving a growing community. Burleyfields Primary School, which welcomed its first students on January 30, 2024, currently offers nursery and reception classes, with plans to expand annually as the local population increases.
The opening ceremony united pupils, families, staff, and local residents along with representatives from G F Tomlinson, Staffordshire County Council, and the Creative Learning Partnership Trust. Becki Bell, Executive Headteacher, highlighted the school’s commitment to fostering a nurturing environment.
“In the very early stages of our journey at Burleyfields, something truly symbolic was created: our school logo,” Bell stated. “It reflects the natural heritage that surrounds us and the historical pathways that have shaped our community. At the centre of everything we do is our school motto: Walk the Burleyfields Way – belonging, achieving, and thriving. This is not simply a motto; it is a promise.”
The school is designed as a two-storey, two-form entry building, providing a total of 420 new school places from nursery through to year six. It features 15 classrooms, a library, special educational needs (SEN) rooms, a hall, kitchen facilities, and outdoor learning spaces covering approximately 7,900 square metres.
Burleyfields Primary School is strategically located on Martin Drive to serve the wider Burleyfields housing development, which is set to introduce around 1,600 new homes in the area. This development aims to address the increasing demand for high-quality educational facilities in Stafford.
The construction of Burleyfields was executed by G F Tomlinson through the Constructing West Midlands (CWM) Framework, in collaboration with Staffordshire County Council, Entrust, and GSS Architecture. The school adheres to Staffordshire County Council’s Touchstone Design model, designed to exceed governmental standards for modern primary education.
Andy Sewards, Group Chairman at G F Tomlinson, expressed pride in the school’s opening. “We are incredibly proud to see Burleyfields Primary School officially open and beginning its journey at the heart of this growing community,” he remarked. “We have delivered a modern, welcoming, and sustainable school that will support pupils, staff, and families for many years to come.”
The importance of new educational institutions in Stafford was echoed by Janet Higgins, Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education. She emphasized that as Stafford continues to grow, the need for quality learning environments becomes ever more critical. “This school provides bright, flexible classrooms, excellent early years provision, and spaces designed to help children flourish academically, socially, and creatively,” Higgins noted.
Sam Compton, CEO of the Creative Learning Partnership Trust, added that Burleyfields represents more than just a physical structure. “It is the creation of a hub at the centre of a new school community,” he stated. “While we have watched the school take shape physically through outstanding partnerships, we now are enjoying seeing the building come truly to life as children bring it with learning, memories, fun, and laughter.”
With its modern facilities and commitment to community engagement, Burleyfields Primary School aims to become a cornerstone of education in Stafford, nurturing the next generation of learners in a supportive and enriching environment.
