PROGRESS continues towards a new school in Wokingham, after an academy trust was approved by the government this week.

The Keys Academy Trust, an organisation that manages primary schools across the borough, was granted approval to run the new school, which will be based by the new Matthews Green estate, by the Secretary of State for Education.

The new school, to be constructed on Queens Road, Wokingham, will hold 210 spaces for residents.

ALSO READ: Carnival pool leisure centre in final demolition phase

Cllr UllaKarin Clark, executive member for children’s services, said: "The Keys Trust has a track-record of providing a fantastic educational experience to children across the borough.

"We’re delighted to be working with them again as we begin our journey to construct what will undoubtedly be a brilliant facility in a few years’ time, in line with when we expect additional school places to be required in the area.”

The groundwork for the new school has already been completed, with the buildings themselves being constructed off-site to minimise disruption.

Work on these begins this month with installation on site between November and January 2021.

ALSO READ: Crowthorne Parish Council announces reopening of Morgan Centre

Cllr Wayne Smith, executive member for planning and enforcement, added: “Providing essential infrastructure alongside housing across the borough is a crucial part of the way development has been planned in the area.

"The announcement of the operator for the new school in the north of Wokingham is another key milestone as we realise almost £100 million investment in new educational facilities in our area.”

The Keys Trust, a Church of England organisation, runs nine other primary schools in the Wokingham borough.

Hester Wooller, executive headteacher and CEO of The Keys Academy Trust, said: “The Keys Academy Trust is delighted to be appointed as the provider for the new primary school at Matthews Green.

"The Keys Academy is a local trust based in Wokingham with nine primary schools and we look forward to working in partnership with the council to develop another new primary school to serve this new community.

"This is a very exciting time of growth within The Keys."