Plans to build a new, bigger, and improved Claremont Primary School have been unanimously approved, as part of the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration programme.

Barnet Council’s Strategic Planning Committee have agreed the ambitious plans, which will benefit families both present and future, as well as offering new resources for the whole community.

The expanded school will continue to teach children from nursery age up to Year 6 but will increase from two-form to three-form entry. Eventually the school will have capacity for up to 630 pupils, plus 40 nursery places or up to 80 part-time places.

There will also be a 24-place Additional Resource Provision (‘ARP’) for children with autistic spectrum disorder.

The school will gain permanent sports facilities on site, including a Multi-use Games Area, with additional permanent sports pitches on Clitterhouse Playing Fields. The on-site sports facilities, along with a new theatre space/hall and meeting rooms, will be available to the community outside of school hours.

The children will benefit from extensive playspace and outdoor teaching areas, all inspired by nature.  These will include a wildlife area and forest school, as well as more active spaces featuring a range of play equipment. Nursery and reception-aged children will also have their own free-flow play area which acts as an extension to the classrooms.

Parents will be able to drop-off and pick up their children at a new community garden off Claremont Road, which will have timber benches, herbaceous planting, and street trees.

The new buildings have been designed to allow the existing school to continue operating safely and with minimal disruption while the new buildings are under construction.

Sign up for regular updates on the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration programme here.