Private School News

BROMSGROVE SCHOOL PREPARES FOR THE LARGEST BUILDING DEVELOPMENT IN ITS 500 YEAR HISTORY

The largest building development in Bromsgrove School’s 500 year history has just received planning approval. On the back of a 2010 OFSTED verdict of “outstanding”, the School is embarking on a multi-million pound transformation of the area closest to the Worcester Road entrance. New sporting, academic, boarding and hospitality facilities will be approached from a redesigned driveway and car park so that visitors will experience a first impression that does justice to the stunning architecture at the heart the School.

Among the projects are a spectacular new indoor sports venue and satellite buildings that will be available for community as well as School use. The architecture of all the new structures will offer a 21st century foretaste of the beautiful buildings that lie beyond, and enhance past all recognition the current site around the sports hall, swimming pool and car park.

As planning permission was being sought, local residents were invited to the School to offer their ideas. As a result of this consultative process, the final plans took into account the needs of neighbours, and unanimous consent was duly achieved. No objections were taken to the final meeting, and the council then voted fourteen to nil in favour of the developments.

Headmaster, Chris Edwards, said: “By listening to and working with residents, the School and its architects were able to move swiftly and smoothly towards a green, state of the art masterplan. This magnificent development will benefit beyond measure the School and wider community. We are thrilled.”

New Sports Hall is Under Starters Orders

Merchant Taylors’ Schools are delighted to announce the building of a new £5.5 million sports centre, to be completed for the new school year starting September 2011. The Schools’ Governors gave the final go-ahead for the project last week and the contractor is due to begin work in April.

To mark the commencement of this exciting period of development an official ceremony was held on Wednesday 24th March. Ex-England rugby international World Cup star and Old Boy of Merchant Taylors’, Ben Kay MBE, joined us to cut the first sod.

Leo Coligan, Chairman of Governors, said: “This exciting build underlines our confidence in the future of Merchant Taylors’ Schools and their pursuit of excellence in all areas, academic and sporting, and our determination to provide the very best facilities for our boys and girls.”

Located at the Boys’ School site on Liverpool Road, this ambitious development designed by Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams Architects, will benefit all pupils from the family of Merchant Taylors’ Schools, and will include a dance studio, fitness suite and a large indoor facility equipped to provide state-of-the-art facilities for rugby training, football, hockey, tennis, badminton and many other sports.

Bardsley Construction, a £70m turnover business that specialises in such partnering contracts with the public sector, has been contracted by Merchant Taylors’ Schools to construct the sports centre.

Wayne Bardsley, the chairman of Bardsley Construction, said: “We’re delighted to be working with such a blue chip client as Merchant Taylors’ Schools on this excellent project that will help to enhance our reputation and presence on Merseyside and indeed throughout the wider North West.”

This important next step in the Schools’ development programme, following on from the award-winning Vitreum main entrance at the Girls’ School, will be underpinned by the two year ‘Sporting Start’ campaign of fund-raising and programme of activities.

New Sports Hall is Under Starters Orders

Merchant Taylors’ Schools are delighted to announce the building of a new £5.5 million sports centre, to be completed for the new school year starting September 2011. The Schools’ Governors gave the final go-ahead for the project last week and the contractor is due to begin work in April.

To mark the commencement of this exciting period of development an official ceremony was held on Wednesday 24th March. Ex-England rugby international World Cup star and Old Boy of Merchant Taylors’, Ben Kay MBE, joined us to cut the first sod.

Leo Coligan, Chairman of Governors, said: “This exciting build underlines our confidence in the future of Merchant Taylors’ Schools and their pursuit of excellence in all areas, academic and sporting, and our determination to provide the very best facilities for our boys and girls.”

Located at the Boys’ School site on Liverpool Road, this ambitious development designed by Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams Architects, will benefit all pupils from the family of Merchant Taylors’ Schools, and will include a dance studio, fitness suite and a large indoor facility equipped to provide state-of-the-art facilities for rugby training, football, hockey, tennis, badminton and many other sports.

Bardsley Construction, a £70m turnover business that specialises in such partnering contracts with the public sector, has been contracted by Merchant Taylors’ Schools to construct the sports centre.

Wayne Bardsley, the chairman of Bardsley Construction, said: “We’re delighted to be working with such a blue chip client as Merchant Taylors’ Schools on this excellent project that will help to enhance our reputation and presence on Merseyside and indeed throughout the wider North West.”

This important next step in the Schools’ development programme, following on from the award-winning Vitreum main entrance at the Girls’ School, will be underpinned by the two year ‘Sporting Start’ campaign of fund-raising and programme of activities.

Tate Gallery chairman opens new King’s School arts complex

Lord Browne of Madingley, a former pupil of the King’s School Ely, returned to the school to open a new £3.5m arts complex.

He was invited by the governors and the Head, Sue Freestone, in his capacity as chairman of the trustees of the Tate Gallery.

The arts complex is housed in a magnificent new two-storey building in the same quadrangle as the Music department with views of Ely Cathedral.
There is now designated space for textiles, fine art, photography and ceramics, all under one roof.
The Performance Studies department now has two fine new studios one of which is housed in an extension to the Hayward Theatre. The extension has also provided costume and other storage space.

A gallery has also been created at the back of the theatre to house sound and lighting equipment for use during productions.

Photo: Lord Browne and Sue Freestone, Head of the King’s School Ely, tour an exhibition of students’ work following the opening of the school’s new £3.5m arts complex.

Sir Richard Eyre CBE centre stage at The Cheltenham Ladies’ College

Sir Richard Eyre CBE, former director of the Royal National Theatre, and prolific director of television, opera and film, formally opened the Cheltenham Ladies’ College new Performing Arts Centre, known as the Parabola Arts Centre, on 3rd October 2009.

The Parabola Arts Centre, situated in the middle of the town of Cheltenham, opposite the main entrance to the College offers pupils outstanding facilities for drama and music together with art exhibition space.

Designed by the Architect Tim Foster and built by Bristol based Willmott Dixon Construction, the Parabola Arts Centre is 328 seat auditorium built with minimalist contemporary detail. Prior to purchasing the site, College consulted English Heritage who were enthusiastic about the potential of the building which involved the renovation of an important historic building and the removal of a large 1970s extension. The brand new auditorium, constructed using local Bath stone, is linked via a glass walkway to the grade 11* listed Regency stucco villa now beautifully restored to its former glory to provide teaching space, a dance studio, video-editing suite and reception rooms.

At a total cost of £12.5 million, funded in part through generous donations, investment in facilities such as these is testament to a belief held within College of the central place of music, drama and art in the education of women to foster self-worth, to understand the human condition and to appreciate beauty.

The Centre will also be available to the local community to use. The Cheltenham Literature Festival will be enjoying the facilities at this year’s Festival from 9 – 18 October.

A full year of performances by pupils will include Romeo and Juliet, The Importance of Being Earnest, West Side Story and David Foxton’s play Rabbit along with musical recitals, concerts and plays written and directed by staff.

Opening of new Jane Austen Wing at The Abbey School

On Friday 2 October, the new Jane Austen Wing at The Abbey School in Reading was formally opened by Jessica Powell, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Google.
The formal proceedings were started by Peter Smith, Chair of Governors at The Abbey, who talked about this significant investment for the future and how the selection of a leading international businesswoman was indicative of The Abbey’s ambitions for its pupils. Mrs Barbara Stanley, Headmistress paid homage to Jane Austen who attended the Reading Ladies’ Boarding School in the Abbey Gateway in Reading in 1785 and who ‘pushed the boundaries for women’ in her own day. The naming of the building is also particularly appropriate as it finally fulfils the intention of Headmistress Miss Musson and the Governors (in 1926) to ‘honour the name’ of Jane Austen.
Jessica Powell unveiled a commemoration stone in the new wing which has really transformed the frontage of the school, and girls performed poetry and readings from Jane Austen for the invited guests who included governors, staff, the architects and builders and key representatives from the community including The Mayor and Mayoress of Reading and local MP, Rob Wilson. All the proceedings were filmed and streamed to pupils on a live feed to other parts of the school. The Mayor, whose own daughter attended The Abbey, said he was ‘delighted to see The Abbey investing in the future and recognising Jane Austen’s connection with Reading.’ Rob Wilson added that he was ‘proud to have one of the top independent schools in the country in his constituency’ and praised The Abbey’s links with the local community.
The invitation to Jessica Powell reinforces The Abbey’s important relationship with Google and continues the association with leading communication and technology companies that is such an important part of education at the school. Ms. Powell, an inspirational role model for the girls, then spent time with pupils talking to them about the opportunities brought by ICT.
The Jane Austen Wing itself is now a particularly vibrant part of the school. It maintains the character of the old building, sitting well alongside the refurbished entrance, and consists of three self-contained floors of four classrooms each, which enables 300 girls and staff to work in state-of-the-art facilities. There are classrooms for Years 8 and 9 and dedicated subject areas for Classics (Latin and Greek are taught at GCSE and A Level) and History. The Art Department has stunning, bright Art Studios and a kiln room alongside an ICT room used for graphic design work.

Further Background follows: Jane Austen and her links with The Abbey School

When Jane Austen was a child she attended a school in Reading housed within the gateway of the old Abbey called the Reading Ladies’ Boarding School. Known by the name of the building that housed it, another of its famous alumnae Mrs Sherwood, author of ‘The Fairchild Family’, wrote in 1791:‘The Abbey House had been a school longer by far than any person now
living has a record of. The house itself was exceedingly interesting. It consisted of a gateway with rooms above and on each side of it a vast staircase of which the balustrades had been gilt.’

`This name was lost to Reading when the school and its occupants later moved to London.

In 1913, at the time of its incorporation, Miss Musson was searching for a new name for the school which she had purpose-built in Kendrick Road. She chose to revive the name of the long-gone school that Jane Austen had attended and the Reading High School for Girls became The Abbey School.

Miss Musson said:‘…and while we are recalling these traditions of hard work, which are ours to guard and carry on, I think we may feel proud to remember that we are reviving the name of a Reading school very famous in its day – The Abbey School which had Jane Austen and Mrs Sherwood among its pupils at the end of the eighteenth century.’

At the time the school was built the size of the building had to be limited due to financial constraints. Becoming ever more popular, the school numbers increased until, at the end of the 1920s, a loan was secured and plans drawn up for the first extension to the school.

It was opened in December 1931 by Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, and during the proceedings silk purses containing money for the building fund were presented to the Princess by a large number of the girls. We are fortunate to still have one of these silk purses in the school archive.

The arched door at the back of the Hardcastle Hall was opened for the first time and the new wing, which now is home to the Chapel, was revealed.

When the proposals for the new building were being discussed in 1926 Miss Musson said: ‘…and we have now in consideration a scheme by which we may do honour to their names, and keep fresh in the hearts of succeeding generations of young ladies the reverence for true scholarship and learning which marked them out from their fellows…’

The Hubert Jones Science Centre wins a major award

The Hubert Jones Science Centre at Christ College, constructed off site by Yorkon, has won the Building Schools for the Future Award at the Builder and Engineer Awards.

The Hubert Jones Science Centre
Designed by P+HS Architects, the science centre provides facilities which are unrivalled in Wales, as part of the school’s major commitment to help develop the next generation of young scientists.

The award recognised the project’s high quality design and how it applied education construction best practice to a scheme built off site. The construction team successfully delivered an exceptional building that will inspire pupils to study science, and which is also highly sustainable and flexible.

The use of off-site construction ensured completion of the centre in just five months despite the challenging site, minimising any disturbance to staff and pupils. 16 steel-framed building modules were manufactured off site in York and craned into position during school holidays to further minimise any disruption to teaching.

Christ College was founded by Royal Charter in 1541 by King Henry VIII and has buildings on its campus, which date back to the 13th Century. Because of this and the building’s sensitive location in the Brecon Beacons National Park, the design incorporated local materials such as Welsh sandstone from Llangorse Quarry, together with render and timber cladding to complement the surrounding architecture.

The scheme also features a number of sustainable measures to minimise impact on the environment, such as solar water heating to reduce energy consumption, energy-efficient lighting, natural ventilation and daylight, and high levels of insulation to conserve energy.

The two-storey building expands the science facilities at this independent boarding and day school, bringing all the laboratories together under one roof and replacing an outdated 1950s block.

Biology lesson
Two physics and two biology laboratories, a sixth form project room, and laboratory technician’s rooms are grouped around a double height central atrium that functions as an additional teaching area and exhibition space. This central ‘street’ also allows pupils to move through the space at peak times and gather informally before and after lessons.

The building has been designed to be flexible and adaptable to change. The internal walls are non load-bearing and there are clear internal spans of up to 12m, so the teaching spaces and laboratories can easily be reconfigured to meet the school’s changing requirements over time.

Stunning New Facilities

Girls at Farnborough Hill are looking forward to pushing creative boundaries even further following the completion of the St Anne’s Art and Design Technology Centre. The building was blessed and officially opened by the Bishop of Portsmouth, The Right Reverend Crispian Hollis, in a ceremony attended by students, staff and guests.

The Grade 1 listed building has been extended and enhanced to provide a Design and Technology workshop, three art studios, a graphic design suite and dedicated 6th Form studios. The wide range of resources in both departments allow pupils to become involved in painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, glass, graphic design, photography, fashion, animation, computer generated imagery, woodwork, plastics and metalwork. The beautiful building, built in 1860, was formerly the laundry, stable block and coach house of the Empress Eugenie and has been sympathetically restored, with many of the features retained and highlighted.

Design and Technology began in its infancy at Farnborough Hill in the early 90s – back then a bold and forward-thinking move for a girls’ independent school to introduce a subject traditionally associated with boys’ education. The girls instantly took to the subject, and immediately disproved the myth that it was not a subject for girls!

Results at the school have often been outstanding in both art and design & technology, for instance: in 2005 Charlotte Hull, was one of the top 10 students nationally for A level Design and Technology: resistant materials. At the same time she also became the regional finalist for the Audi Young Designer of the year award, being 1 of 17 students to attend the national final in Newcastle. Part of her prize included an all expenses paid trip to the Audi headquarters, in Germany, where we understand the highlight of the trip was getting to drive an Audi TT around the track! Last year Naomi-Rose Alexander was one of the students achieving the top ten marks in the country for GCSE art and design.
This year, Corinne Stuart, a GCSE D & T student, applied for the Arkwright Scholarship, which supports A-Level students wishing to follow a career in Engineering. The D & T department became affiliated to the Arkwright Scholarship program, proving Farnborough Hill’s commitment as a school to Engineering as a future career. Corrine attended a rigorous day long interview programme and sat an exam. Her strength as a future engineer shone through and she was fortunate to be chosen from over 400 applicants to be one of their scholars.

Mrs Emma Matthews, Head of Design and Technology, says ‘Staff and students value the changes made to St Anne’s greatly. Each and every one of our girls from Year 7 upwards, achieves great things when she is able to create, develop and realise a product of her own design in such well-equipped and inspiring surroundings.’

Photo:(l to r): Headmistress, Mrs Sarah Buckle, Bishop Crispian and Chair of Governors, Mr Michael Maher

£100,000 BOARDING INVESTMENT AT FLEETWOOD SCHOOL

A £100,000 investment at one of the region’s top independent schools has resulted in new facilities for boarders and day pupils and has been completed as another phase of the five year development programme of the school’s Fleetwood campus facilities.

Co-educational Rossall School has upgraded another of its Grade 2 listed buildings to provide improved study areas and accommodation for boarders and day pupils in the School’s ‘Spread Eagle’ house. The refurbishment follows recent investments in other areas of the school, totalling £1.5 million in the last two years, all with an aim to restore many of Rossall’s listed buildings to their former glory. Three houses have been modernised in the period, bringing the accommodation and student study facilities up to hotel standards of comfort, whilst retaining the character of the buildings and the unique atmosphere of the campus.

In the latest phase, six single and occupancy bedsits have been created, together with a number of dormitories of two to three occupancy and improved day/ prep rooms for around 20 pupils. As part of the project, upgraded fire systems, and wiring systems for the school’s new computer network have been installed. Custom-made furniture and co-ordinated furnishings have completed the interior works, whilst external refurbishment has involved work on stone transoms and mullions in compliance with Grade 2 specifications. The buildings, dating back to the mid-19th Century, are also undergoing re-pointing: a major component of any work at Rossall where the school’s coastal plot bears the brunt of weather fronts from the Irish Sea.

The latest project has been completed in two months and on budget. Commenting, Rossall’s Facilities Manager, Paul King said: “With 160 acres and so many listed buildings on campus our refurbishment programme is a little like that of the Forth Bridge and our proximity to the sea means that the elements play their part in ensuring that it’s a constant programme. But this current development plan is not simply about maintaining our building stock, because we’re refurbishing our accommodation, house prep and study areas to a very high standard and the changes have been warmly welcomed by our students, both overseas and local. The work is part of a much wider programme of improvements covering, academic, leisure and boarding facilities on campus to ensure that we provide an educational experience of the highest standard possible.”

Ceremonial opening of Stonar’s superb new Sixth Form Centre

Stonar School’s official opening of its new Sixth Form and Arts Centre earlier this term was attended by current parents, current and past Sixth Form students, staff, governors, guests and the Mayor of Melksham, Mr Richard Williams.

Guest of honour, Ann Daniels the Polar Explorer, gave an excellent illustrated talk and then cut the ribbon to the Sixth Form Centre, declaring ‘The Shaughan Baldwin Sixth Form and Arts Centre’ officially open. Guests were then treated to a champagne reception and mouth-watering canapés provided by the Sixth Form Leith’s Cookery students, inside the superb new facility.

The new Sixth Form and Arts Centre comprises a social centre, seminar room, study centre and 2 superb art room facilities including a dark room. It will provide Sixth Form students with an exclusive resource to enhance their academic and social lives at Stonar School.

Stonar’s Sixth Form comprises approximately 80 students (including 25 overseas students), studying a wide range of A Levels; other qualifications offered are Leith’s Certificate of Food and Wine, the European Computer Driving Licence, the British Horse Society Assistant Instructor Certificate. The majority of students go on to University and College. Former students include actress Romola Garai; international riders Georgie Spence and Lucy Wiegersma, and renowned author Gita Sereny.

The architects were Nugent Vallis Brierley Ltd of Frome. The build was very quick, taking under 12 months to complete.

Sixth Form Scholarship examinations take place on Friday 20th November 2009. For further information please contact the Registrar, Mrs Karen Ibbott on tel. 01225 701741 or email: admissions@stonarschool.com

Photo:The Sixth Form and Arts Centre

NEW STATE OF THE ART SIXTH FORM CENTRE OFFICIALLY UNVEILED

Nottingham High School’s new state-of-the-art Sixth Form Centre and dining hall has been officially opened by the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Sir Andrew Buchanan and School Captain, James Taylor.

Governors and staff as well as other VIP guests were invited to the event which included an opportunity to take a tour of the new building.

The £4.5m centre is located in the West Quad area at the heart of the school site and boasts spacious and modern facilities for both senior school and sixth form pupils.

A 400 capacity dining hall for the senior school including new kitchen facilities is situated on the ground floor, whilst the sixth form centre occupies the first and second floors and includes a brasserie and large, bright social areas for the Sixth Formers to enjoy.

With the new centre being at the heart of the school, sixth form students are able to play a key role in school life and also provide an inspiration to younger pupils – a key requirement when the design for the new centre was originally conceived.

“We are extremely proud of our new sixth form centre and dining hall and wanted to have a special event to mark the official opening,” said Kevin Fear, headmaster at Nottingham High School. “Our students will be able to benefit from first class facilities, significantly enhancing their experience at the school.”

Photo: (L-R) Kevin Fear, Headmaster Nottingham High School, Sir Andrew Buchanan, Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, James Taylor, School Captain

NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART SIXTH FORM CENTRE AND DINING HALL READY FOR STUDENTS AT NOTTINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL

Work has been completed on a new £4.5m state-of-the-art Sixth Form Centre and dining hall at Nottingham High School.

The scheme has been designed by Nottingham architects maber and constructed by Derby based contractor G F Tomlinson Building and representatives from all parties involved in the development gathered to celebrate the handover of the building to the school.

Located in the West Quad area at the heart of the school’s buildings, the centre boasts spacious and modern facilities for both senior school and sixth form pupils. A 400 capacity dining hall with new kitchen facilities is situated on the ground floor, leaving the current dining hall for junior school pupils. The first and second floors have a coffee bar and large, bright social areas for the Sixth Formers to enjoy. A bridge also connects the social area to the library.

The roof itself is an eye catching feature. Enclosing the West Quad, it is covered in translucent cushions, similar to those used on the Eden Project. Perimeter glazing between the existing high level walls and the underside of the new roof allows it to visually ‘float’ above the new walls, allowing plenty of natural light into the complex and creating a pleasant learning environment for students to study in relax in.

The materials for the new facilities include timber wall panelling, glazed balustrades and a striking white painted mezzanine, which both contrast with, and complement, the existing buildings.

To ensure that the new development is as environmentally friendly as possible, the enclosed quad maximises the opportunities for natural light and natural ventilation. It also has under floor heating which is able to run at a lower water temperature than more conventional radiators and long life construction materials have also been used.

“The completed building looks fantastic,” said Kevin Fear, headmaster at Nottingham High School. “The centre offers our pupils the best possible facilities alongside our excellent teaching resources. This is an exciting time for the school.”

Simon Middlecote of Maber said: “This has been a great project to have been involved in and we are really pleased with its finished design. As a practice we have a lot of experience working on projects in the education sector and feel proud that we can add this development to our portfolio. The centre provides students with first class learning facilities in a modern and fresh environment.”

Stuart Lawrence, director and general manager of G F Tomlinson Building commented: “G F Tomlinson are delighted to have been part of such a unique and prestigious project at Nottingham High School. The scheme required great care due to the interface with a live occupied school environment and the detailing of the scheme, particularly the roof construction. We have extensive experience in the education sector and are happy to utilize this to provide students with a state of the art facility that all the school can be proud of.”