A £6 million donation from Sir James Dyson to his local state primary school has been given the green light by the government.
Education secretary Gillian Keegan approved the donation from the billionaire inventor's foundation to build a centre for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) centre, seven classrooms and a school hall at Malmesbury Primary School on Monday, January 22.
The James Dyson Foundation has a close relationship with the school because many of the pupils' parents work at Dyson's Malmesbury campus.
In addition, it has provided equipment, workshops and small donations to the school in the past which is why headteacher Steve Heal approached it about funding an expansion.
Sir James Dyson thought a new centre where science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics could be taught in one place would encourage more children in the area to pursue careers in those fields.
The Department for Education has said that the new centre could open in September 2027 if planning permission is approved by Wiltshire Council.
Announcing the approval of the donation on Monday, Ms Keegan said: “I welcome this generous donation from the Dyson Foundation which will support cutting edge education for local pupils, helping to develop the scientists and engineers of the future.
“This new centre will provide world-class facilities for pupils in Malmesbury and the surrounding areas to inspire them and develop the skills we need to compete on the world stage."
Dyson has already funded a similar centre, designed by Wilkinson Eyre, at Gresham's School - the independent school in Norfolk which Sir James attended - which was built in 2021.
However, the Malmesbury donation has been conditional on the state school receiving approval from the Department for Education's regional office to expand its numbers from 420 to 630.
Wiltshire Council previously stated that it did not support the expansion as it believed it could result in the closure of other primary schools in the area, so the decision was referred to Department of Education's ministers.
Responding to the government's green light announcement, Cllr Laura Mayes, cabinet member for children’s services at Wiltshire Council said: "We have an important responsibility to ensure that all our school pupils can access opportunities that inspire them and help them achieve their potential.
“Our strategy shows we have sufficient places in the three local schools to cater for expected demand and we have expressed concern about the impact that adding 210 additional places at Malmesbury Primary School could have on neighbouring schools.
"However, we now have the government’s final decision, and we will work with everyone involved to ensure we achieve the best outcomes for all our pupils.”
It is understood that the James Dyson Foundation and Mr Heal stopped short of welcoming the news while they carefully examine the details of the approval.
North Wiltshire MP James Gray said: “I am pleased that the education secretary has listened to the representations I made to her.
"This announcement will not only benefit students at Malmesbury Primary School but all schools in the local area.
“I plan to meet with ministers in the coming weeks to discuss this announcement and to discuss how all local schools will be able to make use of these facilities.”
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