Two Braintree primary schools will be the centre of attention as they both host opening ceremonies a little more than 24 hours apart to unveil their new learning accommodation. On Thursday 15 June, Paul Lincoln, director of learning services at Essex County Council, will open a new computer suite at John Bunyan Junior School in Lancaster Way, Braintree at 9.30am. On Friday 16 June at 2.15pm the popular children’s writer, Michael Rosen, will open The Notley Green Primary School in Blickling Road, Black Notley.

The new ICT suite at John Bunyan Junior cost £20,000 and involved the conversion of a former classroom to accommodate 20 computers to be used by the 296 pupils aged seven to eleven years of age. Building work began in September last year and was completed by the early spring. The scheme was financed by the school. In a brief ceremony Paul Lincoln will be seeing the new equipment in use by a pupil from each of the ten classes before unveiling a plaque.

The Notley Green Primary is a highly acclaimed building project developed through close co-operation between Essex County Council and the Design Council and is considered to be the country’s most environmentally friendly new school. Built at a cost of £1.4m, its major features include ‘breathable walls’ filled with reused newspaper, underfloor heating and a ‘growing roof’ planted with sedum for additional insulation and protection from the sun. It makes the most efficient use of space for its 180 pupils, is roughly triangular in shape, and was built as a result of extensive consultations with teachers, planners, the local community and developers. The architects, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, were chosen after an international trawl of design teams.

Michael Rosen is a highly successful writer whose books have included ‘You wait ‘til I’m older than you,’ ‘Action replay’ and ‘Nasty.’ He has been closely involved with the development of the new school and has written a series of poems about The Notley Green Primary. At 2.15pm on 16 June, he will arrive at approximately 10.30pm to spend the day talking and working with the children about story writing and telling, as well as poetry. A special service in the school hall will include musical and poetry contributions from the children, before Michael Rosen declares the highly acclaimed new school open.

Note for editors. See also release 13 June 2000 Honours flood in for environmentally friendly Essex school.

Media contact: Mike Barnett (01245) 436227 or 0374 279420