Brand new 'net zero' Waterside Primary School sits completely empty because of lack of pupils
Share:
A new "net zero" school has left parents furious, as the primary school closed before a single student entered a classroom. It is believed Waterside Primary School closed due to a lack of demand. The school, meant to open last September, had promised to cater to 210 pupils with 30 nursery places on offer. But only a few parents applied for their children to attend the school in Trent Basin, Nottingham, meaning it was shut before term even started.
Waterside Primary School had hoped children living in the 350-home Nottingham Waterside Trent Basin development would attend the school, but locals say most people who moved into the houses and apartments are young couples and professionals without kids.
Homes in the Nottingham Waterside Trent Basin, which cost up to £500,000, has left locals disgruntled by what they are now calling a "ghost school". One resident who did not wish to be named said: "My wife and I are retired and our children have grown up and flown the nest.
"I can only think of a handful of families with school age children living here so I am not surprised the school shut before it even opened. It seems an awful waste of money and something which really should have been foreseen. It’s a shame because the school buildings look immaculate and very modern but sadly it’s been built in completely the wrong place.".
Another resident, who moved into an apartment with her boyfriend, added: "My partner and I might have kids one day but we’re not rushing. Even if we do have children I think we’ll probably move to a house in the suburbs rather than stay here. When I heard a school was being built near the estate I was surprised because the people I know here are mostly in their 20s like us without kids.".
