WORK has started on a school that will build an 'integral' bridge between Barton's new and existing communities.

An official ground-breaking ceremony was held at Oxford's Barton Park development yesterday, launching construction for the site's new primary school.

Barton Park Primary School is due to open on the 885-home estate in September next year, eventually teaching 315 pupils plus 45 children in nursery.

City councillor Mike Rowley, who represents Barton, said: "We’re delighted to see work starting on this new school, which will meet the needs of a growing population in Barton.

"It will be an integral part of the community, not only for families with children at the school, but also through its shared facilities."

ALSO READ: Schools closed due to 'significant' flooding damage

The school site, located at the east end of Barton Park, is designed for joint use with the community.

A multi-use games area and sports pitch will be available for wider use outside of school hours, and there will be bookable rooms available for hire inside.

Builders have already constructed the games area and car park, and have now moved on to the school itself.

The academy will be run by the Community Schools Alliance Trust, which already oversees Cheney School in Headington and Bayards Hill Primary School in Barton.

Jolie Kirby,the trust's chief executive, said: "This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for local families to be partners in our new school.

"We are delighted the plans for the quality and detail of the building match the high expectations we have for our new school community.

"We look forward to welcoming our first pupils to the school in September 2020."

Oxford Mail:

An artist's impression of Barton Park Primary School in Oxford. Picture by Stride Treglown

The school will have an annual intake of 45 but will offer places in nursery, reception, Year 1 and 2 for the first year's cohort.

Bowmer & Kirkland have been contracted to build the school and the company's managing director, Adrian Grocock, said it will be a facility 'we can all be proud of.'

Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet member for education, said: "Barton Park is a growing community and there has been careful planning to ensure the new school will meet educational needs of the community’s children, and offer shared facilities to benefit all residents.

"The county council is proud of its commitment to get children into their parents’ first choice of school."

Glynis Phillips, county councillor for Barton, Sandhills and Risinghurst, said the school will be a 'community hub for the whole Barton community.'

ALSO READ: Why have these light switches appeared all over Oxford?

Social housing will constitute 40 per cent of homes in Barton Park, which is being developed by Barton Oxford LLP - a joint venture between Oxford City Council and developer Grosvenor.

The school admission process for 2020 school starters will open on November 1, with applications accepted between then and January 15.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the school and how to apply can visit bartonpark.csat.academy.

The website sets out three key aims for the academy:

-To forge a close relationship between the family of Trust schools that will lead to an innovative, creative and skilled generation of young adults who will be lifelong learners, highly employable and emotionally intelligent

-To develop a partnership environment, where the school and parents work together to ensure children of all abilities and cultures achieve well above the national academic benchmarks and further thrive in our school

-To cultivate a supportive and highly effective culture which results in every pupil being able to develop as confident and resilient learners