“Stunning” new multi-million-pound teaching block

The expansion at Egglescliffe School – which has an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating – is the most significant project of the council’s scheme to improve, rebuild, and expand schools across the region. Other sites that are benefitting include Bishopton Pupil Referral Unit, in Billingham, and Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth.

Councillor Lisa Evans, the council’s cabinet member for children and young people, was on-site to cut the ribbon on the day and praised the new building, saying that many of the school’s facilities were “no longer fit for purpose due to the condition of the current school building.”

Headteacher Mrs Lindsay Oyston said:

“The opening of the Peake building in April has been instrumental in providing a high-quality learning environment for both current and future generations of students as well as providing community facilities.

“The building was designed in collaboration with school leaders to ensure we could maintain some of our unique school character.

“We have a long history linked to space and each of our five houses are named after leading astronauts as the school was originally opened back in 1962 at the height of the space race. Therefore, it felt appropriate to name the building after a modern-day astronaut, Major Tim Peake, linking our past with our future.

“The students, staff, and governors of Egglescliffe School and Sixth Form are tremendously grateful for the financial investment by Stockton Council to ensure our school can continue to thrive and achieve even greater success, serving the local community.”

‘Fantastic facilities’ praised at school

Cllr Evans said:

“The new teaching block looks absolutely stunning and is certain to improve the learning experience for current and future pupils for many years to come.

“While Egglescliffe School and Sixth Form is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, many of the school’s facilities were no longer fit for purpose due to the condition of the current school building, and it was clear this was a much-needed facility.

“We’ve been making massive investment in school buildings across the borough in recent years, irrespective of whether they are maintained, diocesan or academies. We’re also including SEND and pre-school provision as part of our investment.

“It’s vitally important that we do all we can to provide our children and young people with high quality learning environments fit for a modern education. It’s about giving them the very best start we can, and I’m sure parents and carers would support that.”

Stockton South MP Matt Vickers said:

“I’m delighted to see the new state-of-the-art teaching block open at Egglescliffe giving teachers and pupils the fantastic facilities they deserve. The incredible commitment and skill of teachers at the school has seen them rated outstanding and it’s only right they have an outstanding environment in which to teach.

“The government is working to ensure every youngster has the best possible chance in life with great resources and equipment. Across Stockton South we’re seeing huge and unprecedented investment in schools across Stockton South with £57.5m worth of upgrades benefitting All Saints in Ingleby Barwick, Our Lady and St Bede, Conyers, and Outwood in Bishopsgarth to name a few.”

Source: Teeside Live