Expansion underway at Thatcham Park C of E Primary School

West Berkshire Council is delighted to share that work is already underway on a major investment in early years education at Thatcham Park C of E Primary School, helping to ensure every child in our community has the best possible start in life.

This exciting £850,000 project, funded through the council's Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and the government's Basic Need Fund, is now in progress and will deliver two new Early Years classrooms with supporting spaces, expanding provision for two-year-olds.

This crucial investment for families in the Thatcham Park area means more children will soon benefit from a high-quality, nurturing learning environment.

To make this vision a reality, the council is transforming an unused building on the school site, bringing it up to modern standards of efficiency and sustainability.

Sustainability is at the heart of this project. By repurposing an existing unused building, we are reducing waste and minimising the environmental impact of new construction.

The refurbishment will meet BREEAM Excellent standards, ensuring energy efficiency, lower carbon emissions, and improved insulation. These measures will not only create a healthier learning environment for children but also reduce long-term running costs for the school, supporting our commitment to a greener West Berkshire.

Once complete in Summer Term 2026, the expansion will increase capacity from 32 to 45 nursery-age children, helping meet the growing demand for early years places following the success of the school's current nursery provision.

Councillor Heather Codling, Deputy Leader of West Berkshire Council and West Berkshire's Executive Member for Children and Family Services, said:

"It is exciting to see work starting on this project. Every child deserves the best start in life, and this investment at Thatcham Park is a shining example of how we are working to make that happen. By creating more high-quality early years spaces, we are supporting families and giving our youngest learners the foundations they need to thrive."

West Berkshire Council is working alongside Thatcham Park Primary School, the Thatcham & Central Family Hub and the following consultants and contractors to deliver this important project. Aero Property Consultants; Archibald Shaw; A&ES Britain; CGS Consultants; Easton Bevins; Pro Air Consultants; Quattro Design Architects Ltd.