Neutral Bay Public School: $24m upgrade to replace demountables revealed

Demountables are set to be replaced with hi-tech classrooms in a major redevelopment of a public primary school which parents say is ‘well overdue’.

Demountables are set to be replaced with hi-tech classrooms as part of a major redevelopment of a north shore public primary school.

A new library, staff facilities and 19 new and refurbished classrooms are among features of plans by the Department of Education to redevelop Neutral Bay Public School.

The $23.7 million proposal lodged to North Sydney Council last week shows four demountables at the campus would be removed, along with two main campus buildings.

A new three storey building would front onto Bydown St with seven classrooms, a library, amenity facilities, a canteen and staff areas.

Two main buildings at the current campus would also be upgraded to create new refurbished classrooms, and out of hours school care facilities.

A concept plan of the development.

A concept plan of the development.

Plans show the new classrooms would be built as ‘flexible learning spaces’ – described as offering personalised learning areas where varied furniture would promote student choice, comfort and flexibility.

Technology would also be integrated into the rooms to “extend learning opportunities” with specialist equipment also available for students to innovate, create and communicate.

An aerial view of the upgrade

The Department of Education is boosting playing areas with landscaping works including a “bush garden” and handball courts for students.

The school currently has a play space to student ratio at a level less than half the Department of Education’s recommended standards.

The development is also aimed at addressing the ageing state of teaching facilities, which date back as far 1886, which are in a “poor condition” and no longer “compliant with educational standards’’

“The proposal addresses the need to improve facilities at the site and results in significant benefits, including upgrading out of date learning facilities, increasing provision of outdoor open space, improved staff amenities, active transport encouragement through increased bicycle parking,” plans stated.

A photo of the current campus.

“It will provide improved educational facilities at the school in a high quality built and landscape environment, to positively respond to the wellbeing, safety and accessibility needs of children, staff and visitors.”

The proposal does not involve any change to the staff or student numbers which currently has a capacity for 900 pupils.

There would also be no changes to parking or traffic arrangements for parents during the pick-up and drop-off runs.

The school’s P & C committee president Liz Henry welcomed the upgrade.

An overview of the school upgrade

“The school footprint is extremely small for the number of student so we really welcome the upgrade – particularly the increased number of classrooms because the students been using demountables for a long time,” she said.

“Because of the lack of space, students have not been able to run outside on grass so to have that addressed is fantastic.

“It also allows for outdoor education where students can have one or two classes in an outdoor environment.”

The upgrade is in line with the North District Plan which estimates an extra 21,900 students will need to be accommodated at schools in Sydney’s north by 2036 – a 20 per cent increase on 2018.

Plans are currently open for feedback. If approved, construction is due to begin early next year.