Chatellerault École Elementaire Claudie Haigneré

A new primary school in Chatellerault opened in November 2013.  

It is named Claudie Haigneré. She was the first French female astronaut before becoming a politician and is a doctor who has specialized in rheumatism. This new school will focus on the practice, history and cultural development of science and technology for its pupils and the general public. The school is organized on two levels:

On the ground floor is the dining area plus kindergarten with playground. Upstairs is the Elementary school and separate playground.

There are three kindergarten classes, five basic classes and LCIS (School Integration Class) all equipped with interactive whiteboards. The school currently accommodates 190 children but has been designed to accommodate 300. The entrance is from a wide pedestrian walkway, allowing families and children safe access to the school. Parking is in a basement available to parents for 30 minutes.

The building complies with the legal requirements for accessibility of persons with disabilities, as well as for thermal regulation.
The overall cost amounted to € 11,301,000 and € 650,000 was funded by the General Council of Vienne.

The site landscape keeping heritage features is interesting. It was part of the redevelopment of the old hospital to strengthen the attractiveness of the city centre. Near to the school is the new Tourist Office, an interpretation centre for architecture and heritage, as well as the LOFT cinema.

Unfortunately there has been a recent report of an outbreak of scabies!  

THAT’s why the media were filming there on Tuesday! 

I know how terrible scabies is because I once contracted it from my 98 year old aunt, whose hand I’d held for almost an hour, when in a care home in the last 6 months of her life.

A new primary school in Chatellerault opened in November 2013.