Manor Court Community Primary School in Chard has unveiled brand-new playground and sports facilities ready to greet pupils as the academic year resumes. Situated on Duck Lane (B3162), near the town’s Sainsbury’s supermarket, the school serves as the principal primary institution for children residing in the southern part of Chard.
During the summer break, significant changes took place on the school grounds. The former early years centre, positioned at the rear of the main building, was relocated to the front of the school. Subsequently, the outdated facility was demolished, making way for a newly constructed hardstanding area designed for physical education lessons and after-school clubs.
The redevelopment was undertaken by A. A. Pike Construction, a firm based in the neighbouring village of Forton. The school shared an update on its official Facebook page on 13 August, stating: “Another summer improvement completed! The tarmac has now been laid, and our fantastic new outdoor space is ready for the children to enjoy when they return in September! The line markings for the courts will be added soon.”
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The post further highlighted the benefits of the new area, noting it provides a secure and all-weather environment to support physical education and various enrichment activities throughout the year. The school extended its gratitude to the contractors for their role in creating the improved facilities.
Earlier in the summer, the school confirmed the demolition of the former early years building, describing it as “well past its sell-by date.” The extensive space uncovered is now paved to create a safe, versatile area essential for sports and extracurricular opportunities. This development marks the completion of Mr Luke Talmage’s vision for the school’s site enhancements.
Mr Talmage, who served as headteacher at Manor Court, announced in May that he would be leaving at the end of the current academic year to become the chief executive officer of a multi-academy trust. The trust oversees more than 1,300 pupils across five schools in the South West. Reflecting on his departure, he expressed mixed emotions: “While I am excited about this next step, I leave with real sadness, as Manor Court Community Primary School has and will always mean so much to me.”
These upgrades come amid Somerset Council’s announcement that the proposed new primary school within Holyrood Academy’s grounds has been postponed until at least 2030. The delay is attributed to rising costs, declining birth rates, and slower than anticipated housing development in the area, underscoring the importance of Manor Court’s enhanced facilities for the community’s educational needs.