Ground-breaking ceremony in glorious sunshine

If that's not a good omen: The school management, teaching staff, children and representatives of the general contractor, politicians and the administration came together in the schoolyard in perfect weather to celebrate the start of the new Sonnenschule building.

"The new Sonnenschule is a real showcase project that fully meets today's requirements for a modern, three-form entry primary school - with the option of four forms," said Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich at the symbolic ground-breaking ceremony. "Running the school and building a new building at the same time - that is certainly a challenge, but also exciting for the entire school community." Headmistress Claudia Sander-Braunert added: "We are really looking forward to the new school! The children are curious and excited." She repeatedly used the large plan to explain to her pupils where their classrooms and the canteen would later be built.

A modern and future-oriented primary school with a total area of around 4,500 square metres is being built at the previous main site of the primary school network. The building meets the requirements of modern education and offers bright classrooms, flexible learning areas and an efficient digital infrastructure. The outdoor area will also be designed to be close to nature and developed as a diverse space for movement and learning.

The spatial programme follows the municipal school development plan for all Beckum primary schools and places particular emphasis on all-day facilities - for a varied learning and care environment. Sustainability also plays a major role: energy-efficient building technology, durable materials and economical operation over the entire life cycle are firmly planned.

Goldbeck Nord GmbH is realising the project as part of a total contractor contract. A large part of the new building is being constructed using industrially prefabricated construction methods. The whole project is being financed by municipal funds and federal and state funding programmes.

Until completion, the neighbouring playground will serve as an interim school playground. The new building is scheduled to be handed over in August 2027, with full completion including outdoor facilities scheduled for March 2028. The laying of the foundation stone will be celebrated separately.

Facts and figures:

Execution period: March 2026 to probably March 2028
Funding: The construction project is being funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the federal government with a total of around 2.3 million euros with funds from the KfW Bank and through the funding guideline for all-day expansion.
Costs: The total costs are estimated at around 24 million euros.
General contractor: Goldbeck Nord GmbH Bielefeld

Sonnenschule primary school alliance:

Around 310 pupils in 14 classes (Beckum and Vellern sites) currently attend the Sonnenschule. Around 240 children are currently enrolled at the Beckum site, spread across 11 classes.