Rishi Sunak has said he is very impressed by Northallerton’s new primary school after a visit to meet its first pupils.
The MP took part in a groundbreaking ceremony at Oakbridge Church of England Primary School when work started in 2023.
He returned to see the completed school in action.
The new school opened in September last year and provides vital primary school places for families in North Northallerton.
Built as part of the town’s 1,000-home development, it is already playing a central role in the new community.
The Richmond and Northallerton MP was welcomed by executive headteacher Nikkie Godbold and Damian Chubb, CEO of the Dales Academies Trust.
During the visit, Mr Sunak toured the school and spent time with pupils and staff. Reception children began the visit with a poetry recital in their classroom, before he joined pupils in the library to read The Oak Tree by Julia Donaldson.
Oakbridge currently has just one class, with a higher-than-average number of pupils with special educational needs and has been designed to meet a wide range of needs from the outset. Quiet spaces, a dedicated sensory room, and flexible teaching areas all help create a calm, structured environment.
Mr Sunak also heard how the school is hoping to serve the wider community. The main hall and other facilities will be made available for use by local groups and residents, with a key part of the school’s vision to be a hub for families across North Northallerton.
Mr Sunak praised the school for its vision for the future and its potential for growth. The school is spacious, well laid out, and built with flexibility in mind. With space for additional classrooms or facilities to be added in the future should local demand increase.
Mr Sunak said: “The last time I was here was in a hard hat and high-vis. To now see this fantastic new school full of life, and already making a difference to children and families, is incredibly rewarding.
The care and thought that’s gone into making Oakbridge a truly inclusive school is something that staff should be proud of.”
Nikkie said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome Rishi back to Oakbridge Church of England Primary School, a year into our journey.
“The children were thrilled to hear a story read by him and proudly recited the poems they’ve been learning each week.
“His visit was a wonderful celebration of how far we’ve come as a school community.”
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