Giving Burnside Their School Back

Friday was the opening day for Burnside School after operating out of a temporary school for 27 months.

Meldrum Civil Engineering has handed over the building after carrying out major repairs to the foundations and drainage. After the school experienced excessive structural settlements, which meant the building had displaced and walls began to crack.

After stabilizing the building and improving the car parking spaces, the school has undergone a facelift which included, expanding the dining hall, new communal areas, a new library, IT suite and play areas.

Managing Director of Meldrum Civils, Jonathan Mellis said: “As a local contractor, Meldrum Group are extremely proud to have worked in partnership with Inspire Multi Academy Trust at Burnside Academy.

The new facilities will provide a modern and inspirational place for youngsters from the surrounding areas to learn and develop.

Thank you to the local residents as well as the staff and students from the school for their patience and understanding whilst we carried out these essential improvements which will ensure the long-term future of this critical asset within the local community.”

Friday was a happy day for the children, moving back into their school after learning out of temporary school cabins for so long. This has been such a rewarding experience for our team seeing the smiles on the children’s faces as they moved back in.

Burnside’s children were so ecstatic they took the Meldrum team on a tour of their new school and told us what the new school meant to them.

Year 4 pupil Anna Raine, nine, said: “The new school has a much bigger hall and classrooms which are better for our learning. We also have more freedom to move around the school and have corridors to put up our displays in.” – Sunderland Echo

Headteacher Leona Kelly said: “Today is a massive day as after 27 months we are delighted to be back in our completely refurbished building. Burnside has always been at the heart of the community and we are grateful for the support everyone has offered us during the last two years, which has been a challenging time.” – Sunderland Echo

Jonathan Mellis commented further: “Our teams have worked tirelessly to overcome many challenges on this difficult project and I would like to thank them again for their ongoing effort and commitment.”

Sunderland Echo Coverage:https://www.sunderlandecho.com/education/children-and-staff-move-back-into-school-building-after-ps4million-refurbishment-4175867

– Images supplied by Neil Fatkin at Sunderland Echo.