Vernon Junior school phase one is moving towards competition, this phase consists of a new Sure Start Children’s Centre and a new reception area. Children’s centres are service hubs where children under five years old and their families can receive seamless integrated services and information.

The services that they will be delivering are as follows:

- Integrated early education and childcare – all centres offering Early Years provision have a minimum half-time qualified teacher (increasing to full-time within 18 months of the centre opening)
- Support for parents – including advice on parenting, local childcare options and access to specialist services for families
- Child and family health services – ranging from health screening, health visitor services to breastfeeding support.

TACE have worked closely with their client and the school to keep the school fully operational over the construction period.

This scheme is aiming to be a Breeam rating of ‘very good’; this has been achieved by good passive design, from a high efficient heating plant and natural ventilation in most areas. Full dynamic modelling has taken place to fully understand the thermal performance of this building.

The next phase is the new teaching areas which will be completed be the summer 2010. Keep your eye out in the next editions in 2010 for further progress on Vernon Junior School.