The ACT Government has recently began construction at Franklin School to see the school grow from an early childhood school into a primary school, catering for 600 students across preschool to year 6.
The ACT Government committed in 2016 to expand Franklin School to grow its permanent capacity to 600 students across Kindergarten to Year 6, in addition to the existing early childhood offering, to respond to the growing community.
ACT Minister for Education Yvette Berry explained that the $29.5 million permanent expansion is set to be completed for the start of the 2022 school year. The build will deliver a contemporary learning environment and additional community facilities for local clubs and groups. The design of the new buildings aims to best utilise the current site, maintaining outdoor learning environments, and allow for inclusive practices for all children both indoors and outdoors. As well as providing for the educational needs of young people, schools are also important hubs for the local community and provide facilities for many of our local clubs and groups.




Minister Berry said that the school expansion will provide additional community facilities for the area and will include a multipurpose gym, sports courts and change-room facilities, outdoor turf sports field, outdoor multipurpose hardcourts for everyone to enjoy. The first learning community will be ready in term 1, 2021 and will accommodate 150 students and staff, with the remaining learning spaces, gymnasium and sports field ready for use in term 3 2021. The Minister added that to support a transition to a larger school, the ACT Government temporarily expanded the school’s capacity with high-quality transportable learning spaces. The school started its transition in 2019, allowing existing students to continue into Year 3 for the first time. This transition has been occurring gradually, with existing students continuing into Year 4 this year and Year 5 next year.
Minister Berry said that the ACT Government is committed to ensuring every child has a place at a great local public school and this expansion at Franklin School demonstrates that commitment. Around 100 people have been engaged to work on the expansion to date with many more jobs set to be engaged throughout the project. This is just another example of the ACT Government investing in our schools, infrastructure communities and our future as we continue to grow towards a population of 500,000 by 2030.