Open evening revealed for new £7m Lichfield school

Parents of prospective pupils at a brand-new £7m primary school in Lichfield will have the chance to ask questions about the exciting project at an open evening.

The informative event will also present parents and carers with the opportunity to meet the new head of school, who is in the process of being appointed.

The open evening for the newly-named Anna Seward Primary School, which is part of the respected Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP), will be held at Lichfield Guildhall on Wednesday, October 12 at 7pm.

ATLP senior leaders will be on hand to show plans of the school, discuss its facilities and explain what children can expect if they attend Anna Seward.

The ATLP has been appointed by the Department for Education as the sponsor for the new school, which is being built by Staffordshire County Council as part of the Deanslade Park development on a former farm site in the city.

Diggers are now on the site of the school, which will be the ATLP multi-academy trust’s 20th. Nine of those are in Staffordshire, including six in Lichfield.

The free school is planned to open in September 2023 and is being constructed in response to the growing need for school places in and around Lichfield brought about by new housing developments in the south of the city.

ATLP CEO Richard Gill CBE (pictured above), who will provide an introduction to the school at the open evening, said: “There has been a clear need for increased education facilities in Lichfield and it’s an honour for ATLP to have been chosen as the sponsor for such an important school.

“The ATLP family will reach a significant milestone when Anna Seward Primary opens its doors as our number of schools will then stand at 20. As our multi-academy trust continues to grow, so does our reputation for delivering excellence in education.”

ATLP executive headteacher and strategic lead Helen Hastilow said: “A romantic poet and early environmentalist, Anna Seward was known as the ‘Swan of Lichfield’.

“She was an important local figure who has been remembered through history for her commitment to reading, writing and equality. Buried at Lichfield Cathedral, she is synonymous with the city and surrounding area.”

Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education, Jonathan Price, said: “This latest school is being built to accommodate increased demand for school places in the Lichfield area and forms part of countywide plans to build more schools in response to local housing developments.

“Getting the opportunity to attend a brand-new school is an exciting prospect and I am sure many parents will want to take a look at plans for the school to see what it can offer their child.”

Mrs Hastilow added:

“As a result of the educational experience, our children will move on to the next part of their educational journey with knowledge, skills, inspiration and ambition for their futures.”

Nursery and reception places will be offered in the school’s first year of opening. After this, the school roll will grow annually until a maximum of 210 full-time pupils are accommodated by 2029.

Applications for pupil places at Anna Seward open on Tuesday, November 1. Visit https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Education/Admissions-primary/Apply/Overview.aspx for details on how to apply.

Visit https://annaseward.atlp.org.uk to stay up to date with the latest developments including progress with building work.