The Leader of the Council, Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE officially opened the impressive new Lime Wood Primary School in Erith last week (16 November). The school, the latest free school to open in Bexley, is situated in ‘The Quarry’ housing and regeneration scheme in Erith. It opened its doors to students in September.

Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE said:

It feels a long time since I attended the topping out ceremony at The Quarry in January 2020. Having been so closely involved with this project since it began it was an honour to officially open the school.

I have watched as the land was transformed from a former quarry into an impressive new development.

The opening of this new school is the result of a lot of hard work and commitment from the many partners involved and The Woodland Academy Trust.

It was great to be able to visit the school and to meet up with everyone involved in the project again and see staff and pupils making the most of this wonderful new school."

Headteacher Claire Ingrams said:

We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of Lime Wood Primary. The opening was a proud day for everyone at the school and the Woodland Academy Trust and we thank our guests for joining us to mark the special occasion. We look forward to becoming an integral part of The Quarry and Erith community as we deliver our vision to find the champion in everyone."

CEO of Woodland Academy Trust Nav Sanghara said:

We are overjoyed to welcome the many hands and hearts that have brought the vision of Lime Wood Primary to life, celebrating not just the culmination of our planning and hard work but the beginning of a new legacy in education here in Erith.

As we open our doors, we are not just unveiling a building; we are launching a promise to our community—a promise of a future where education is the cornerstone of personal and collective growth. Together, we are planting the seeds for tomorrow's leaders, innovators, and compassionate citizens. Lime Wood Primary is a place where we aim to cultivate not only academic excellence but also the values that make us a community. We're not just growing a school; we are growing a family, and that is something that every one of us can hold in our hearts with immense pride.”

Lime Wood Primary School opened with a reception cohort and has capacity for 630 pupils plus a new nursery setting.     

Developers Anderson and L&Q attended the event that included a tour of the new building and a special song performance from pupils.     

The school is part of the Woodland Academy Trust.     

Find out more about the school.