North Leamington School prepares for a new era
Pupils and staff are celebrating the news that work on the new North Leamington Community School could start as early as this as this summer.
The news follows a response from the Government Office of the West Midlands who have confirmed that the County Council may proceed with the project. Miller Construction, Warwickshire County Council’s Framework Contractor, is expected to move onto the Manor Hall site on Sandy Lane in September.
The campus-style school is expected to be completed in 2009. The scheme, which will have a major impact on education in Leamington, will bring together 1,500 pupils who currently use four separate sites across the town. The local community is also set to benefit from the use of a number of the school’s extended hours facilities.
Cllr Alan Cockburn, Corporate Services Portfolio Holder, welcomed the news. He said: “I am thrilled that the hard work of all involved in this project has come to fruition and the go ahead has been given to build a school which will be wonderful asset to the pupils of North Leamington.”
The new buildings have been specially designed by Robotham Architecture of Warwick to meet the highest environmental standards. There will be cedar boards on the external walls and a ‘green roof’, planted with an alpine plant called sedum; rainwater will be stored for non-drinking use, and natural ventilation (not air-conditioning) will be used throughout.
The design incorporates three faculty blocks on the new campus, which will be home to Humanities & Languages, Maths & Science and Art, Design & Technology. The main building, described as the hub, will host the Sixth Form, the Community Learning Centre and all the Performing Arts facilities for Dance, Drama and Music, including a 400-seat theatre.
The plans also include extensive sports facilities including a large Sports Hall complex, an all-weather pitch and a multi-use games area. All these facilities will be available as part of the schools extended hours programme for use by the community.
The planning application for the school, which has already been approved by Warwickshire County Council’s Regulatory Committee, was referred to the Government Office of the West Midlands in April. In some cases the Government Office will refer planning decisions to the Secretary of State but the office was satisfied with Warwickshire County Council’s plans.