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New Year 6 classroom unveiled at Martlesham Primary Academy

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Primary school pupils got a sneak peek at their new standalone Year 6 classroom during a guided tour. The modern, high-tech building aims to prepare older students for the transition to secondary school.

Why it matters: The new classroom will help prepare Year 6 students for secondary school while allowing the small primary to expand its facilities.

Children at Martlesham Primary Academy donned hard hats and hi vis for their tour of the new classroom
Children at Martlesham Primary Academy donned hard hats and hi-vis for their tour of the new classroomSeamans Building

Key details:

  • Bury St Edmunds-based Seamans Building constructed the standalone building.

  • It's designed to give older children a separate learning space.

  • Seamans also donated and installed a large wooden shed to become the school's new Reading Café and held a careers day to teach pupils about the construction industry.

Pupils were given a guided tour by Headteacher Emma Churchman and Site Manager Adam Gillibrand
Pupils were given a guided tour by Headteacher Emma Churchman and Site Manager Adam GillibrandSeamans Building

What they're saying: Headteacher Emma Churchman praised the project: "Working with Seamans to deliver a new classroom and improve facilities around the school has been inspirational and a real positive experience for the staff."

She added: "Learning environments are important to enable children to develop and grow."

What's next: Pupils will decorate the new wooden shed to transform it into the Reading Café.

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Suffolk to roll out 6,000 EV chargepoints from Summer 2025

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Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

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Suffolk County Council has partnered with operator Believ to deliver around 6,000 new public electric vehicle chargepoints across the county, starting next summer.

Why it matters: 25% of Suffolk households don't have a driveway and park on their street, creating a significant barrier for residents considering electric vehicle ownership.

The big picture: The rollout aims to provide residents without driveways access to a public chargepoint within a 5-10 minute walk.

Matthew Ling and Amy Rushton of Suffolk County Council, Charlie Allen and Steve Beer of Believ
Matthew Ling and Amy Rushton of Suffolk County Council, Charlie Allen and Steve Beer of BelievBeliev

By the numbers:

  • £5.3 million secured from the government's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund

  • An additional £16 million provided by operator Believ

  • Nearly 140,000 tons of emissions forecast to be removed by late 2026

The details: The majority of new units will be bollard-style chargers at the kerbside, suitable for long-stay or overnight charging. Drivers will benefit from an overnight off-peak tariff and a dedicated resident's tariff with discounted charging at all times.

Public car parks will also see rapid and ultra-rapid chargepoint installations for quicker charging options.

What they're saying: "We are providing a solution by installing chargepoints on their street, or very nearby. Our ambition is to provide them with a public chargepoint within a 5-10 minute walk or wheel," said Councillor Philip Fairclough-Mutton, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Communities and Equality.

Guy Bartlett, Believ CEO, said: "We're delighted to have been awarded the opportunity to rollout such a significant number of chargepoints across Suffolk. It will make a real difference to local EV drivers and give others the confidence to go electric, helping to support our mission to deliver cleaner air for all."

What's next: In advance of all on-street chargepoint installations, local residents will receive letters with details of the work due to take place, including information on timescales.

The bottom line: Suffolk County Council is the first local authority in England to both award their LEVI main funding tender and subsequently sign a contract with an operator, allowing installations to begin at pace to help meet the county's target of 5,400 public chargepoints by 2030.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

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