Delay-hit Abraham Darby Academy finally opens doors

Hundreds of excited pupils took their first lessons in Telford's new £25 million flagship school today – almost a year after work was delayed when a canopy collapsed injuring five workers.

The new Abraham Darby Academy in Madeley is the final part of the £35 million sports and learning community which also includes Woodlands Primary School and a new leisure centre.

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The rest of the site opened in January but the academy was delayed after the canopy across the front of the building collapsed in August last year.

This morning, outgoing head boy Josh Reah rang the original school bell – found while staff were clearing out the old building – to herald the start of a new era for the school.

As soon as GCSE and A Level exams finished last month, the staff packed up 4,000 boxes worth of equipment and files and began the two-week task of moving in.

A high-profile official opening is planned in the autumn term but today the pupils got to enjoy the state-of-the-art building for the first time.

Principal Steve Hawke said: "I think they understand that they have been given something very special.

"We will use that as a catalyst to continue to drive up aspiration, inspiration and standards."

The iconic design of the building has classrooms leading off from a central staircase which spirals around the new auditorium and lecture theatre.

There are no corridors, glass classroom walls and massive windows and the half-glazed domed roof mean much of the lighting is natural, giving the impression that the building is much bigger inside than it looks from the outside.

Mr Hawke spoke to pupils during two special assemblies. They were then taken on a tour of the building before settling down to their first lessons in their new surroundings.

Mr Hawke told the pupils: "This is a very, very special place. We are very lucky to be here – however, I would very quickly follow that by saying you deserve it. I need you to recognise just what an opportunity you are being given.

"Because it's so special, and because you are so special, we need to be even more aspirational in terms of what we can achieve.

"Over the last four years we have raised standards considerably in an old building. About £25 million has been spent on this new building for you. Our standards have got to keep going up and up."

The academy, part of a federation with Adams' Grammar School, has just been named as one of the best schools in the country for the progress students make.

The new building also has open 'break out' areas on the landings for group work and a separate area for the sixth form.

At its heart is a massive, air-conditioned auditorium. There is also a smaller lecture theatre which will be used for larger group lessons and sixth form teaching.

Sixth-former Jennifer Rogers, 17, who will be head girl next term, said: "I like the idea of everything being on show. It does feel like a work environment so it's good preparation for university and adult life."

Reflecting the school's international reputation for music, there are purpose-built music rehearsal rooms, an industry-standard recording studio as well as small rehearsal rooms for instrument lessons.

There is also dance and drama studios, and the PE department links into the adjoining leisure centre. Each subject has its own space and a lot has been invested in the latest computer technology and equipment.

Mr Hawke told the pupils he expected them to treat the new building according to the wider ethos of the school. He said: "We treat each other and our surroundings with the respect we would like to be shown to us. We don't have rules, we have expectations."

Developers Kier Construction worked with Telford & Wrekin Council to build the sports and learning community under the Building Schools for the Future programme.

The final part of the development will see the 1930s and 1960s parts of the old school demolished and landscaped to include sports pitches.

Kier senior project manager Jason Powell, who has led the team on site throughout the construction, said it was always a special moment when a new building was completed and handed over.

By Ann Clarkson