All-new Shrewsbury school set to welcome its first pupils with ex-Shrews player at the helm

But few can claim to have such a place in the history books as the 27 youngsters who will be turning up to be the first ever class at Bowbrook Primary School.

“It will be a historic moment,” said Sam Aiston, first headteacher at the school in Squinter Pip Way. “People will look back at the pictures in 100 years and say ‘that was my grandparent!’.

“I am really excited to welcome the first students to Bowbrook. The children and staff are incredibly lucky to be a part of it. The building looks amazing.

“I know the parents are all excited and Thursday is going to be a lovely morning for this first ever group.

“There has already been a lot of excitement and Thursday will be a massive day for the parents to drop off their children at primary school and the nursery here for the first time.

“I can promise the parents that their children will be in very safe hands. They are going to help us shape the school.”

Before he started his career in teaching Mr Aiston was a popular player at Shrewsbury Town FC.

“You get a buzz and a feeling of uncertainty and excitement before a match and it is the same with this,” said Mr Aiston. “Thursday is another big game.”

Bowbrook and the special needs school next door were built for a total of £17 million from the Department for Education.

After hanging up his boots Mr Aiston went into education, going on to become the deputy head at Pontesbury School and the head of Broseley School before taking up his historic new role.

“The pace of life at schools is also fast, quick and about keeping everybody happy, including staff, and performing at the highest level,” said Mr Aiston, who is happy to be the school gaffer.

“But it is different going from a team environment with men to women aged from their 30s to 50s!” he said. “Being a new school, we have been able to attract the best people.”

The school is promising to give youngsters aged from three to 11 a multitude of experiences, in the most modern setting, including swimming lessons and opportunities to hear from invited guests in both classroom and community settings.

But the first day will be all about the children settling into their new environment. They have already had the opportunity to meet staff and other children so hopefully it won’t be such a huge wrench.

Mr Aiston reckons parents could be more emotional than the children, who he says are excited about getting started with their academic careers.

“They will have a tour of the school and will see a photographer, and be getting used to the new routines and lifestyle,” he said. The pleasures of double maths classes will be for another day.

“These children will be with us for seven years and we will become a huge part of each other’s lives,” said Mr Aiston.

On Friday the school was having finishing touches put to the new building, including signs, and work done in the classrooms. It is set to be handed over to the 3-18 Education Trust on Monday, when at last the nine members of staff will be able to move in from the temporary buildings they have been calling home.

Also on the site of the school, currently on the edge of a newly expanded part of the county town, is a SEND school that is run by the The Keystone Academy and is a separate entity from Bowbrook.

Bowbrook is planned to grow from 27 pupils in the first year to fill the current building’s 210 capacity, with the possibility that it could expand to 400 pupils eventually. There will be two classes per year group entry with 30 spaces currently in reception classes and 26 in nurseries.

The separate SEND school has space for 120 pupils, both primary and secondary age.

The school still has capacity to take pupils in this year group.

At the end of their education at Bowbrook the school hopes to give pupils the skills to be able to “work anywhere in the world.” They want to be known as a school of opportunity.

Trips to Shrewsbury Town matches at the Croud Meadow, home of the Shrews, are also on the cards for the youngsters. The ground is a 15-minute drive away from Squinter Pip Way and the trust will be putting active and healthy lifestyles among the top of its agenda.

Bowbrook is also hoping to be the heart and soul of its community and is planning an open day from 1pm to 4pm on September 30. There will be a ceremonial ribbon cutting and everyone is invited.

Community groups will be able to hire space for meetings.