Ash Primary School To Be Rebuilt as Part of Government Redevelopment Programme

Published on: 30 Mar, 2026
Updated on: 1 Apr, 2026

Shawfield Primary School in Ash

By David Reading

The Government has announced that Shawfield Primary School in Ash is to be rebuilt.

Work on the new two-story school building is expected to begin in the winter of this year. The full construction programme, including landscaping and external areas, is likely to take around 20 months.

The project is part of the Department for Education’s school rebuilding programme, planned for schools across the country. The programme is intended to replace ageing school buildings with modern, energy-efficient designs.

During construction, pupils and staff at Shawfield will remain on site. A three-storey temporary school will be installed on the lower playground for about 20 months.

In September 2023 it was announced that the school was one of the 147 in England at the centre of the alert over potentially unsafe RAAC concrete.

The school hall at Shawfield was found to have a small amount of RAAC but the classrooms were said to be unaffected.

RAAC – or Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete – is potentially dangerous lightweight building material which can become structurally weak over time. It was used in some public buildings since the 1960s.

The redeveloped school will remain a one-form entry, primary school, serving the current pupils and staff, according to a statement on the school website. There are no plans to increase the number of school places or staff at the site.

The statement says key objectives of the proposed development include:

Replace the existing building with a purpose-built building “that motivates pupils and supports staff in achieving their goals”.
Provide a “flexible, efficient, and fully accessible building” that provides a range of facilities to meet both current and future needs.
Create a distinctive, modern design that sits comfortably within the landscape.
Be Net Zero Carbon in operation.
Offer indoor and outdoor spaces that will encourage community involvement and increased participation through their positive image.

The Department for Education has appointed Galliford Try as the contractor to design and build the new Shawfield Primary School. Galliford Try is said to be one of the UK’s leading education construction firms and is part of the Considerate Constructors Scheme, committing to high standards onsite and within the community.

To review the plans in full and to leave feedback, visit https://shawfieldprimaryredevelopment.co.uk.