Building work on a new primary school in Peterborough is under way, following a special groundbreaking ceremony.
Councillors, dignitaries, representatives from Hampton Academies Trust and Morgan Sindall Construction along with children from Hampton Lakes Primary School gathered at the construction site of Great Haddon Primary School today (Friday 30 January) to officially put the first spades in the ground.
The 420-place primary school is expected to open in January 2027 and will serve new families moving to Great Haddon. Once established, it will provide places for 60 children in each year group. While the permanent school building is being completed, reception year pupils will be temporarily housed at Hampton College from September 2026 until its opening.
Great Haddon Primary School will be the first school that the council will deliver via the free school presumption route meaning that it will be a state-funded academy school run by a multi academy trust and will receive its funding directly from government.
The council is leading and funding the building of the school which is being carried out by Morgan Sindall Construction. It will also work with Hampton Academies Trust, who were appointed by the Department for Education (DfE) to operate the school, ensuring its successful opening.
Once finished, the township of Great Haddon is expected to provide 5,350 homes, 9,000 jobs, four schools (three primary and one secondary), three shopping centres and sports facilities.
Councillor Katy Cole, cabinet member for children’s services at Peterborough City Council, said: “I am absolutely delighted to see construction under way at Great Haddon Primary School. The school will be a huge asset for the township as it grows and will also benefit Peterborough as a whole, for years to come.
“Peterborough is one of the country’s fastest growing cities and we are fully committed to ensuring we have the right infrastructure in place to meet the demands of a growing population which will need additional school places.”
Dr Helen Price from the Hampton Academies Trust said: "We are delighted to be here today with some of our pupils from Hampton Lakes Primary School. They remind us of why we are here and who the future users of this building will be. The addition of a primary school is always one the key milestones in developing a new community."
The council is reminding families who would like their children to be on the list for places at Great Haddon Primary School to contact admissions@peterborough.gov.uk