Twello's Martinus Primary School to be rebuilt with modern facilities for growing student population
Parents and pupils in Twello can look forward to a new Martinus Primary School, addressing overcrowding and poor indoor climate. The €[amount not specified] project, part of a broader housing plan, will create space for 0-12 education and community activities, with construction set to begin after planning phases.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| School | Martinus Primary School |
| Location | Twello, Voorst municipality, Gelderland province |
| Project | New construction at current location |
| Funding | Phased preparatory funding provided by municipality |
| Additional Schools | De Wingerd (Twello) and De Bolster (Voorst) to be renovated |
| Space Shortage | De Fliert (Twello) requires solution for space shortage |
| Indoor Climate Issues | Current building lacks climate control, affecting learning environment |
| Community Involvement | Teachers, parents, and residents can contribute ideas |
| Next Steps | Design phase development, temporary accommodation planning |
The municipality of Voorst is responsible for the housing and maintenance of educational facilities within its jurisdiction. As part of this role, it collaborates with school boards to ensure adequate and modern learning environments for pupils, aligning infrastructure with educational needs and community values.
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Read the full translated article below
Council approves new construction of Martinus Primary School in Twello
On Tuesday, March 3, the municipal executive approved the preferred scenario for Martinus Primary School in Twello. The scenario involves the new construction of the school at its current location. School board SKBG will receive phased preparatory funding to further develop the plans, after which tenders can be issued to select a contractor for the actual construction.
Part of the Integrated Housing Plan
Councillor Rosmarijn Boender is portfolio holder for Municipal Buildings and responsible for educational housing. “The new construction of Martinus Primary School in Twello is part of the Integrated Housing Plan, which the municipal council approved in 2024. This plan includes the results of an extensive study into the housing of all schools within our municipality. For each school, among other things, the condition of the building, expected pupil numbers in the coming years, and the required square footage were examined. Based on the outcomes, it was determined which schools would be first (0 to 5 years) eligible for renovation or new construction.”
Collaborating with school boards to create a supported plan
To reach this decision, the municipality worked closely with the various school boards. “There was a great deal of understanding for each other’s situations. Of course, every school would like a modern building with the latest facilities, but we cannot do everything at once. New construction of a school involves major investments, both in terms of workload and money. Together with the school boards, we arrived at a supported plan. In addition to Martinus Primary School in Twello, De Wingerd (Twello) and De Bolster (Voorst) will also be renovated in this first period. And for De Fliert (Twello), a solution must be found for the space shortage,” says Councillor Boender.
With the municipal decision taken, Martinus Primary School in Twello is the first school that can now start further developing the plans. Carla Woudstra, director of Martinus, is very pleased with the decision of the mayor and aldermen. “Our school is bursting at the seams. In recent years, we have created two emergency classrooms. We have also sacrificed communal spaces to create room for all our pupils. But we’ve truly reached our limit.”
Space for continuous learning pathway
Peter Wormskamp, councillor and portfolio holder for Education, adds: “In addition, as a municipality, we have stated in the Integrated Housing Plan that we would like to facilitate what is known as a continuous learning pathway. This means that pupils aged 0 to 12 are accommodated and educated under one roof. This allows children to thrive, not only in terms of numeracy and language, but also in social skills. Martinus Primary School currently does not have a daycare facility. To offer this, we also need extra space.”
Improving indoor climate
In addition to a shortage of square footage, Martinus’s current building has other challenges. Director Carla Woudstra says: “We currently have no regulation for the indoor climate. This means that the school is cold in winter and very hot in summer. Due to climate developments, it is expected that this will only become more extreme in the coming years. Modern climate control contributes to a better learning environment.”
New construction at current location
Director Carla Woudstra: “The preferred scenario involves a new school at the current location. We are very happy with this. After all, it is a unique part of Twello, next to the church and Huis Duistervoorde. The new school will once again occupy a beautiful spot on the square, fitting the surroundings and the character of this historic location, with an interior that is entirely up-to-date. That is what we are committed to.”
Not everything will be renovated
The new school therefore offers many great opportunities for the new generations of Twello. However, not everything will be renovated. Director Carla Woudstra says: “Martinus is named after Saint Martin, who shared his cloak with the poor. This sense of community and solidarity is deeply embedded in our school system. And we want to keep that, even when we move into a new school building. For example, every year on St. Martin’s Day (November 11), we support a good cause. The children can suggest charities for this. In the past, we have raised money for a children’s home where two of our pupils lived, and last year we raised 9,000 euros for Spieren voor Spieren Foundation, of which one of our former pupils is an ambassador!”
Next steps and participation
In the coming period, the school will develop plans for the design phase of the new construction. Teachers, parents, and local residents will have the opportunity to contribute ideas for the new school. Meanwhile, the municipality is working on temporary accommodation for the school. Would you like to stay informed about developments and participation opportunities? Then sign up for the digital newsletter at www.voorst.nl/nieuwsbrieven.