Work begins on new Birmingham school spanning 4 acres

Prince Albert High School will be on a four acre site in Perry Barr next to the athletes’ village being created for the Commonwealth Games

Prince Albert High School in Perry Barr will provide places for 1,260 pupils across 4,103sqm of teaching spaces for children aged 11 up to sixth form.

The whole site will cover four acres and will boast a four-court sports hall and outdoor floodlit multi-use games area which will also be open for the local community to use. It will be next to the athletes’ village being created for the Commonwealth Games.

There will be 32 traditional classrooms and 27 specialist learning spaces for subjects such as science, art, music, drama and technology.

It will form part of Prince Albert Community Trust multi-school academy, which includes Prince Albert Junior and Infant in Aston, Birchfield Community, Highfield in Saltey and Heathfield in Lozells, which is one of the UK’s best primary schools.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to provide a life-changing education for children in our community,” said Sajid Gulzar, CEO of the Prince Albert Community Trust.

“We hope that the majority of our intake will be from our primary schools thus enabling us to educate our pupils from nursery through to A level.”

He added: “I would like to thank the parents and staff from our existing schools for their wonderful support for our new school.

“PA High will be innovative and high performing and will provide our young people with the best possible foundation for the future.”

 

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The school plans to open its doors to pupils and staff in September 2021 and will be accepting applications for places in Year 7 from September 2020.

Investment totalling more than £500 million is being poured into regenerating housing, transport, public spaces, community assets and sports facilities in Perry Barr in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games.

Prince Albert Community Trust (PACT) held a ceremony with students, staff, Birmingham City Council representatives on Thursday January 30 to mark the start of construction work at the new school.

Construction company Galliford Try was also at the launch event as it has been appointed by the Department for Education to deliver the new school.

Simon Burton, managing director for Galliford Try West Midlands, said: “We are excited to be able to start work on what is such an important scheme for PACT and the children of the area.

“Galliford Try has a strong track record of delivering high-quality educational buildings and we look forward to working with all the stakeholders involved to ensure that Prince Albert High School is a facility we can all be proud of.”

 

Source: Birmingham Live

 

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ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL

Another Brick in the Wall – Primary school reminder that we must never repeat such horrors.

Berlin has constructed many memorials to the Holocaust, reminding mankind that we are capable terrifying deeds and should guard against the structures in society that make them possible. Amongst the memorials is a growing wall, located at a school in the city, it is a particularly poignant and moving memorial, where each brick bears the name of a Holocaust victim.

Since 1995, pupils of the Löcknitz primary school have been creating the living memorial in the school courtyard, which continues to grow.

Christa Niclasen, a former headmistress who died last year, started the Löcknitz primary school wall. The school lies on the site of a former synagogue and Ms Niclasen asked her pupils to research the stories of the Jewish people who had lived in the neighbourhood, most of whom died in the Holocaust.

On her way to work one day she saw a pile of yellow bricks at a building site and decided to make a memorial. Today there are more than 1,400 bricks.

Each year, students of the sixth grade choose a name from the list of former Jewish neighbours and research that person’s biography. If the person they chose died in the Holocaust the children inscribes a memorial brick in their own handwriting, with the name, date of birth and place of death. The memorial brick is then added to the wall, which continues to grown year on year in the school courtyard.

The additions to the memorial are dedicated in an annual commemorative ceremony. In 2012, the 1000th memorial stone was laid.

Robert Bittner, a history teacher at the school who continues Ms Niclasen’s work says “There are more than 6,000 names on the list, so we could be building this wall for another 50 years,”

 

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ACTIVE EDUCATION

Schools in Gloucestershire at set to open their doors to allow people to use their sports facilities.

County schools will receive a share of a £1.6million funding boost to allow them to make better use of their sports halls or pitches.

The scheme will encourage schools to allow residents in the local area to hire their facilities to play sport, and encourage people to be more active.

Richard Fishlock, strategic lead for facilities at Active Gloucestershire, who will be running the scheme in the county, said: “We will be helping to support schools to open up their doors and facilities for the

“It is a win-win, it provides schools with a new stream of income and gives the community access to new sports facilities, with the view to get people more active.

“The resources are there in a lot of schools and they are just sitting there waiting to be used.”

There is a budget of around £70,000 for Gloucestershire, the areas targeted will be those parts of the county that are more deprived and that have a lack of facilities.

 

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It is expected that between 25 and 45 schools will receive the support.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Getting children active from a young age helps them build confidence and learn skills they will use in later life. Many schools already open up their facilities so their communities can benefit and I want to encourage even more to do so.

“By backing schools with this extra money we can make more fun activities available all year round – everything from football to dodgeball – to help children find a sport that they will enjoy and which will keep them healthy.”

Active Gloucestershire has surveyed schools across the county to find out if they would be interested. Any schools that would like to register their interest should contact Active Gloucestershire.

The county will be one of 19 regions to receive a share of the funding.

Sports Minister Nigel Adams said: “It is absolutely right that every child, regardless of background, has the chance to learn how to run, jump, throw, and catch to develop a healthy lifestyle.

“As we outlined last year, our School Sport and Activity Action Plan will mean that all children have access to at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity through quality PE, sport sessions, clubs and facilities inside and outside of school hours.

“By opening up school sports halls and playing fields to sports clubs and the wider community, we will increase opportunities, particularly for those with the least access and from the most deprived areas and deliver on our manifesto commitment.

“The 2022 Commonwealth Games will not just be about two weeks of sport: it will open up a wealth of opportunities for people across the West Midlands, leaving a lasting sporting legacy for the region. So I encourage young people to make the most of these opportunities, particularly by getting involved in community sport.”

 

 

Source: Gloucester Live

 

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FRIGHTENING BUILDING PROPOSED FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN

It was like something out of a terrible sit-com when an Ofsted inspector visited a planned new Birmingham school – and found himself unable to easily escape a FIRE.

He had already pulled a window off its hinges, spotted staples holding up peeling wallpaper, found exposed wires and evidence of rodent activity.

He also found he was able to open a third floor window so wide a pupil could fall out.

And when a fire broke out during the inspection and the official was unable to get out, it was clear the school was destined to fail the inspection.

The inspector made the damning discoveries during a visit to Smithfield House in Digbeth, where Empire Coaching Academy planned to open a school for up to 70 vulnerable kids.

He also found he was able to open a third floor window so wide a pupil could fall out.

And when a fire broke out during the inspection and the official was unable to get out, it was clear the school was destined to fail the inspection.

The inspector made the damning discoveries during a visit to Smithfield House in Digbeth, where Empire Coaching Academy planned to open a school for up to 70 vulnerable kids.

“The fire doors, which should allow easy escape, were either locked with a padlock, tied up with electrical cable from the inside and boarded up from the outside, or could not be opened easily,” the report said.

“The main door was secured by a magnetic lock and could not be immediately opened from the inside by the inspector.

“The building was not properly evacuated. As a result, the premises were not safe…the on-site inspection was terminated.”

It wasn’t the only issue the inspector encountered.

During his tour of the third floor, where the school was going to open, he also found he could get onto the derelict floors above and encountered a series of “serious hazards”.

“Some of these hazards pose even more of a risk because the pupils the proprietor proposes to educate are highly vulnerable,” he wrote.

Issues he found on the third floor, where the school was going to open, included:

* Some wallpaper peeling off and had been stapled back to the wall;

* Exposed wires at the site of some plugs and light sockets because the sockets were broken or not properly fixed to the wall;

* Some windows did not open because their handles were broken;

* No medical room;

* Inadequate lighting on the fire escape routes.

But it got worse when he examined the rest of the building via an open door to the “derelict” two upper floors, where he found evidence of water damage, fallen in ceilings, piles of office furniture, low dangling light fittings, sharp steel ceiling retainers at head height and a shopping trolley.

 

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There was also “mouldy food” and “signs of rodent activity.”

The inspector was scathing about the school’s leaders for “not noticing that the proposed school premises pose very serious risks to pupils, both on the leased floor and within the rest of the building.”

He added: “The premises would be dangerous to any building user. Leaders have not considered the needs of the pupils they propose to educate nor evaluated the serious risks that would be posed to these extremely vulnerable pupils.”

The inspection took place to decide if the school met the independent school standards required to open this month as a school for up to 70 children.

The report states:  “The proprietor (listed as Empire Coaching Academy) and deputy head teacher of the proposed school run an existing organisation, Empire Coaching. This organisation mentors vulnerable pupils who are excluded or at risk of exclusion.

“They wish to open a school to add education to their mentoring offer.”

The school would provide for some pupils with special educational needs including those with an education, health and care (EHC) plan.

The report said: “These pupils would have a range of needs, including cognitive, specific, moderate and severe learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, communication and interaction needs, speech, language and communication needs and autism.”

The pre-registration report concludes, not surprisingly, that the school “is not likely to meet the standards.”

It adds: “The proprietor and the appointed senior leader have not demonstrated that they have the necessary knowledge, understanding and expertise to make sure that the school is likely to meet the independent school standards on opening.

“They have not noticed that the proposed school premises pose very serious risks to pupils, both on the leased floor and within the rest of the building. The premises would be dangerous to any building user.

“Leaders have not considered the needs of the pupils they propose to educate nor evaluated the serious risks that would be posed to these extremely vulnerable pupils.”

 

Source: Birmingham Live

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DINING AT THE CASTLE

PUPILS from a secondary school in Taunton were given a special tour to view their new dining hall.

CG Fry & Son is currently constructing a new dining hall for The Castle School.

Fifteen year 7 students were allowed a sneak peak to check on its progress.

They were joined by representatives from the project management firm, Futures for Somerset and Taunton-based architectural practice, Inspired Partnerships, who designed the new hall.

The new dining hall, which began construction at the end of 2019, will accommodate more students for seated meals.

The project also includes the extension and modernisation of kitchen facilities to meet the increasing demand for student meals and snacks.

This significant project has been made possible through a successful capital funding bid from the Government.

Mike Pinney, Contracting Director for CG Fry & Son Contracting, said: “It was great to welcome the students of The Castle School to the site and show them their brand-new dining hall being built.

“Having completed the new Design and Technology block for the school last year we are pleased to be back at the school, improving the facilities for both the students and staff.”

The new dining hall is located at the front of the school adjoining the main building.

Enabling works work began in the summer holidays last year, stripping out the old kitchen, refurbishing and installing the new kitchen to avoid any disruption during school term time.

A spokesperson for the school said “We are delighted to have been successful in our bid for capital funding.

“The team is making excellent progress on our new dining hall.

 

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“This project will add a spacious, modern, purpose-built dining space to the school which all of students here at The Castle School can benefit from.”

The project, which is due to be completed in June 2020, is currently undergoing roofing works and having external walls installed, which the students were able to view during their visit.

 

Source: County Gazette

 

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FLOODING CLOSES SCHOOL

Falcon Junior School, in Sprowston, had to shut on Monday due to internal flooding.

There is no heating or electricity in the main building due to water in the electrics.

Edward Savage, headteacher, said it is unknown when the building will be operational.

From Thursday (January 23), pupils in years three, four and five will be moved to White House Farm Primary in Sprowston.

As a temporary arrangement, year six pupils will remain in their own block at the Road school, which has its own power and heating system.

In a letter to parents, Mr Savage thanked families for their support during ‘very challenging times’.

Mr Savage said: “The continuing flooding of the school has become untenable and ingress into the electrics has made the site unsafe.

“The electricians will not turn the electricity to the school back on until the water ingress is stopped.

“We cannot put the health and safety of pupils and staff at risk.

“I fully understand the inconvenience of school closures to families and I have spent the closure days considering how to move forward and to provide an education for your children.

“The timescales at the moment are unknown unfortunately.”

The school has worked with senior advisors at Norfolk County Council and the Sapientia Education Trust to ensure the children are taught while building issues are investigated and rectified.

The school asked families to lift share or access the school by foot.

The school will remain closed on Wednesday (January 22) to allow staff to move equipment to White House.

Mr Savage said: “As moving to another school temporarily is a huge change, we will be flexible on late arrivals to help ease the pressure on families.”

The school says it will support families logistically challenged by the move to White House Farm.

School times have been adjusted for those attending Whitehouse to 9am to 3.30pm to cater for families at other schools. Timings remain the same for the Falcon site.

Staff will be meeting pupils at the gate to familiarise them to the site.

On both sites, there will be no hot lunches available.

Source: Eastern Daily Press

 

 

 

 

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£86m Building for Learning and Teaching

The new £86m building, designed by Hassell, will include learning and teaching facilities for its Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students. It will also allow the Adam Smith Business School to continue to grow.

It will be the fourth major new building to be delivered through the university’s £1bn campus development programme, which is redeveloping the site of the former Western Infirmary in Glasgow’s West End. Construction will begin in July and is expected to complete in 2022.

 

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Professor John Finch, head of the Adam Smith Business School, said: “The new development will build on the legacy of pioneering thinker Adam Smith. It will create spaces for analytical, entrepreneurial and sustainable learning, teaching and research, driven by our academics’ curiosity, and address challenges internationally and locally in business, organisations and the economy.

“It will increase scope for cross-disciplinary collaboration, creating inspiring spaces which facilitate innovation and support our students in their learning and teaching within and beyond their degree programmes. The unique Postgraduate Teaching Hub will accommodate growth and will mean we can place business skills at the very heart of our PGT student experience, enhancing employability and adding value to a wide range of programmes across the University.

Hassell principal Julian Gitsham said: “This is a fantastic demonstration of the University of Glasgow’s commitment to creating world-class facilities for tomorrow’s business leaders. The new building will form a gateway between the city’s cultural quarter and the new campus square, and embody both the university’s long-standing civic partnership and its cutting-edge modern architecture.

“Through outstanding teaching, research and creative workplaces for students, academics and staff, the new school will facilitate industry and academic collaborations, and drive research and innovation.”

 

Source: The Construction Index

 

 

 

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Application in progress for a £63.5m school investment

A planning application has been lodged for a new high school in Cardiff.

If progressed, the new Fitzalan High School will represent a £63.5m investment and would involve the existing school replaced with a new-build school on land next to the Leckwith Stadium in the Canton area of the city.

It would be a ten-form entry, accommodating up to 1,500 students between the age of 11 and 16, plus a sixth form. The new school would offer sports facilities including a multi-use games area, 3G pitches and a new indoor swimming pool, replacing the current pool which is already used by local schools and community groups.

These, and other facilities at the school would be available for public use outside school hours.

 

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This marks the next stage in development for the latest project to be brought forward under the Cardiff Council and Welsh Government £284m Band B 21st Century Schools Programme.

Cllr Sarah Merry, deputy leader of Cardiff Council, and cabinet member for education, employment and skills, said: “Schools investment is a priority and this is the next step to delivering a new Fitzalan High School which will not only provide pupils with access to state-of-the art facilities and the highest quality learning environment, but also provide the local community with opportunities to benefit from excellent, modern amenities.”

The planning application seeks full permission for the following: 

  • Relocation of the Air Dome onto land behind Leckwith Stadium ;
  • New grass stitched football pitch Tier 2 standard, (with no floodlighting);
  • New 3G rugby / football pitch;
  • Relocation of throwing range;
  • Erection of 2 storey changing room building (with 3 community classrooms at first floor and 1 on ground floor);
  • Erection of a single storey changing room building;
  • Pitch 5 (for use by cricket);
  • Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) 16 and 17; and
  • Provision of new car parking area and cycle stands for community parking. 

Subject to planning and procurement, construction of the new school is expected to be completed in the 2022/2023 academic year.

 

 

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£14.6m expansion for Cambridgeshire School

A school in Cambridgeshire is set for a £14.6 million expansion which will see the creation of new classrooms, sports pitches and a new pre-school.

Cromwell Community College in Chatteris will receive a new look with all refurbishments set for completion in spring 2021.

Renders by construction company Morgan Sindall – who are carrying out the work – show the school’s vibrant new design and new buildings.

The addition of new facilities will mean the Active Learning Trust college will become the first school delivered for Cambridgeshire County Council to provide all-through education.

 

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The project will see the construction of a new pre-school, accommodation suitable and sufficient for 210 primary-aged children, and additional secondary teaching classrooms, as well as new food technology rooms, sports pitches, play areas and landscaping.

Works will also include internal renovation to the existing main college site, with the addition of a new performance hall and classrooms and the demolition of the existing art block.

Students will be given the chance to visit the site later this month and will be the first of a number of opportunities for students to see the project as it develops.

Jane Horn, principal, said: “It is an incredibly exciting time for us at the college with work underway on our new pre-school and primary phase offer.

“By expanding our provisions, we will become the first educational establishment in Cambridgeshire to provide education from four to 18 years old.

“Thank you to Morgan Sindall Construction for leading the build and we are excited to see the new facilities come to fruition.”

Classes will continue in the main site, with Morgan Sindall Construction’s project team implementing a number of processes to ensure minimum disruption.

Bob Ensch, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed on what will be a key project for both school users and the wider community.

“Morgan Sindall Construction has extensive experience in delivering first-class educational expansions and refurbishments, and we are looking forward to working closely with The Active Learning Trust, Cambridgeshire County Council and the rest of our project partners.”

Parents have until January 15 to submit applications for primary and pre-school places starting in September 2020. The school’s new building will officially open at the end of 2020.

The refurbishment for the secondary stage is then expected to be completed in Spring 2021.

 

Source: Cambs Times

 

 

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New School to Reflect Local Character

A new Ness Side Primary School and nursery will boast 24 classrooms and serve the Ness Castle area to the south of Inverness.

Highland Council has already approved 984 new houses in the area.

The school is expected to have a roll of more than 850 primary and nursery pupils by 2032, but hopes to welcome an initial tranche of 150 children when it opens in August 2021.

The school will eventually accommodate more than 800 pupils.

A design statement accompanying the plans states: “With the new primary school forming part of a peripheral development and defining a new community centre to the south of the city, an appropriate contextual response is to align with the character of notable buildings on the outskirts of Inverness. Estate homes and castles outside of the city centre, often running alongside the River Ness, are more reflective of the original local character.”

 

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If approved, work will be carried out in two phases, the first of which will see the building of a two-storey school with space for 333 school pupils.

 

Source: The Inverness Courier

 

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