St. Neots, Cambridgeshire

Alpha Rail provides a lesson in safety for new school

A new primary school in the market town of St. Neots, Cambridgeshire, has recently opened its gates, allowing pupils to benefit from the added safety and security provided by a 140m long railing system provided by Alpha Rail.

Funded by Cambridgeshire County Council and located next to an often busy main road, the school, with its prominent gates and railings, gives a clear indication that the children will be well protected.

The 1.8m high, black powder coated railings, which were manufactured, supplied and installed by Alpha Rail, provide the necessary safety measures and also include bespoke decorative features, which add an aesthetic quality to the design that subtly disguises its robust and functional purpose.

Phil Ball, Sales Director of Alpha Rail, explains: “This was a great project for Alpha Rail to be involved in, as it just shows how important high quality railings and gates are to protecting young people in a school building. The beauty of these railings and gates is not only in their stunning design, but also in their functional benefits, which will ensure their low maintenance and durability for the long-term.”

The school has established an ethos of ‘Every Child Matters’ and one of the cornerstones to this is ensuring the safety of each child. Alpha Rail’s railings help fulfill this ethos as they create a high level of safety for the children, enabling them to feel comfortable in their surroundings and to fully focus on the educational curriculum.

Alan Moule, Contracts Manager at construction firm Morgan Ashurst, who were contracted to build the school, said: “The school will be a focal point for the community of St. Neots and as such we are delighted to have been part of this project. When considering the security aspect of the school, we were fully confident that Alpha Rail, with their pedigree in manufacturing high-quality bespoke railings, would deliver safe and secure perimeter fencing that would help create a protected learning environment.”

Having opened in September 2008, The Round House Community Primary School is a modern £3 million primary school, catering for children between the ages of 4 and 11. The school has provision for 210 pupils from foundation stage to year six, but has the resources to cater for a maximum of 410 pupils as more applications for enrolment are received over the coming years. They currently have one infant and one junior class and an excellent teacher/child ratio - ensuring the children get the best possible emotional and education support in their formative schooling years.

The school is located on a former Iron Age settlement, which is now part of the Love Farm Development site. It also consists of a new housing estate; is adjacent to St. Neots Town football club; and is within easy walking distance of the local railway station.

Alpha Rail, which is based in Nottinghamshire, has over 25 years’ experience in urban regeneration, green space and park restoration. The company provides a bespoke service for architectural metalwork and has supplied many prestigious projects as well as many new and refurbished housing estates with new gates and railings, making a real difference to the local community.