Pupils look forward to brand new school
Pupils will be escaping leaking roofs and "intolerable" conditions when they move into their new multi-million pound Shropshire school.
Pupils will be escaping leaking roofs and "intolerable" conditions when they move into their new multi-million pound Shropshire school.
Madeley Academy will be re-opening on a new site next to the former Madeley Court School in Telford in the autumn. Madeley Court was built in 1970 but Vic Maher, headteacher, said the conditions at the school, were "dire". The current school is on four different levels.
Mr Maher said: "The conditions in the classroom are intolerable. We have to hire air conditioning units in the summer for the top corridor of the building."
The new buildings are located on a site off Castlefields Way with eco-friendly features, which include underground heat source pumps and three wind turbines installed by Dodds of Stafford Park.
The buildings are sponsored by the Thomas Telford School and The Edge Foundation, which is instrumental nationally in developing vocational education and in particular hospitality and catering.
Clive Tonks, chairman of governors, said: "The ground-breaking Vocational Training Centre is central to providing what the governors see as vital opportunities for young people to develop specialist skills and to gain experience to aid their entry into rewarding employment."
Sir Kevin Satchwell, headteacher of Thomas Telford School and project manager, said: "For years to come, thousands of young adults will gain access to an exceptional education which will set them up for a successful life. The children of Madeley deserve this brilliant new school.
"We have an outstanding team of teachers to make the future so exciting for them."
Learning areas have been carefully planned to feature specialist fitted laboratories, ICT, technology, art and music technology rooms.
Students will be able to stay on site and dine in a restaurant and then enjoy the ball park or relax in seated shelters.
The centre will offer courses in manufacturing, construction, hair, beauty, childcare, land and environment and hospitality and catering. There will be a poly-tunnel and an allotment for students to grow plants.
