More than 100 demountables are being replaced with permanent facilities as part of major upgrades at Castle Hill Public School, Matthew Pearce Public School, Carlingford West Public School and Cumberland High School.
The NSW Department of Education said schools in the area – north west Sydney – have been well over capacity for more than a decade since the population in the area soared.
Construction has now begun on the long-awaited upgrades, which will see the removal of 19 demountables from Castle Hill Public School and another 22 at Matthew Pearce Public School.
There are currently 64 demountables at Carlingford West Public School and 26 at Cumberland High School.
Of the demountables at Castle Hill Public School, 12 have been on site for more than five years and half are 20 years old. The demountables at Matthew Pearce Public School have been on site for at least five years, with some more than 25 years old.
The upgrade at Castle Hill will see the addition of a new three-storey building with 36 modern classrooms, as well as a new hall, canteen, covered outdoor learning area (COLA) and student amenities. It will also provide facilities for specialist support classes, and refurbished administration and staff areas.
The upgrades at Matthew Pearce Public School will deliver three new buildings and 24 new modern classrooms to replace existing demountable buildings. It will also provide facilities for specialist support classes, as well as a new hall, student amenities, and new outside of school hours care (OOSHC) facilities.
The upgrade at Cumberland High School will deliver 77 new and upgraded classrooms including spaces for wood workshops, visual arts, sport and performance, a new hall, library, play courts, canteen, and refurbished staff and administration facilities.
Carlingford West Public School’s upgrade will deliver 56 new classrooms, a new hall, library, play court, canteen, and refurbished staff and administration areas.
The upgrades at the four schools will provide core facilities catering to nearly 6,000 students combined, which will help support the growing population in Sydney’s north west. All four upgrades are expected to be completed by early 2026.
As part of its plan to address the backlog of essential services in the north west growth area, the NSW Government is also fast-tracking new public schools at Tallawong and Nirimba Fields, and a high school for Melonba, all of which will open temporary facilities for students in Term 1 next year.
The government will also build a new high school for Schofields/Tallawong to open in 2027.
