Peartree set for transformation
Peartree Primary School is to get a major makeover as part of a government programme to future-proof education.
The school, in Welwyn Garden City, will either be completely rebuilt or renovated over the next five years to provide modern, state-of-the-art facilities.
Peartree, which first opened in 1927, is one of 239 projects selected for the latest round of the nationwide School Rebuilding Programme. The government wants 500 schools to benefit from the programme over the next decade.
Executive Headteacher Ben Statham, says: “We are thrilled that our school has been chosen for this project. Peartree has been at the heart of this community for nearly a hundred years, and many thousands of children have passed through our gates. However, our buildings are old and no longer fit for purpose.
“The new-look Peartree will be more eco-friendly, with modern facilities to serve our community for generations to come and to ensure that pupils receive a world-class education.”
Peartree opened its doors in January 1927 with 91 children. Within five years, numbers had grown to more than 500 pupils. Towards the end of World War Two, Peartree’s then headteacher was heavily involved in the government’s plans to revitalise education and it became a show school, attracting visitors from around the world.
In 2022, Peartree and another Welwyn school, Watchlytes, joined Ivy Learning Trust, a family of 14 primary schools in Enfield and Hertfordshire. The schools work together to provide a better education for children and share resources, knowledge and expertise. Four Ivy schools are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and seven are rated Good.
Matthew Kleiner-Mann, CEO of Ivy Learning Trust, says: “This is an exciting time for Peartree and the local community. We are delighted to be working with the school to give children an inclusive and ambitious education and the building upgrade will provide pupils with a modern and inspiring learning environment to help them achieve their highest potential.”