New term, new school as secondary is rebuilt
0 Comments | Evening Post; Bristol (UK), Sep 1, 2010 | by Lynne Hutchinson
FINAL preparations are being made for the opening of the Pounds 30-million Abbeywood Community School and the first lessons for nearly 900 students.
Pupils will see the completed building tomorrow when the doors open at the start of the new academic year.
Many have seen the project to replace what was Filton High School at close quarters as they watched building work progress next door to their old classrooms.
A number of youngsters have also been involved in various projects related to the building, including designing artwork for an atrium.
The last time they were on site, they had to wear high- visibility vests and hard hats. But tomorrow they will be in their new uniforms, including polo shirts bearing the school logo, as they settle in to the state-of-the-art complex which includes the latest teaching aids, sports hall, dance studio and even a recording studio in the music department.
Pupils will also be able to see their old premises in New Road, Stoke Gifford, being knocked down to make way for an all-weather sports pitch, car parking and cycle racks.
The new eco-friendly school has been funded through the Government’s Building Schools for the Future programme, with South Gloucestershire Council also contributing.
Filton High was chosen for redevelopment due to the age and condition of its buildings.
It opened as a technical grammar school in 1959 and 10 years later joined forces with a secondary school in Charborough Road on the Stoke Gifford site.
But it had reached a point where it could no longer be patched up, with staff and pupils in need of new facilities.
The school caters mostly for children from the Filton and Stokes areas and has specialist school status in humanities.
With the new building – built by construction firm BAM – came a new name, which was chosen through consultation with students and the community.
School business manager, Grant Canby, said the facilities would be open for the community to use outside school hours.
He said: “It’s a fantastic facility for all and a really positive step for the school and community.
“It’s not just the students and teachers who will benefit from the new building but everyone who works here.”
That includes caretaker Rob Perry, 47, who has worked at the old school for more than 30 years since he was a teenager.
He said: “It’s a very nice building and will make my job a lot easier. With the entry system in place, I’ve now got the smallest bunch of keys I’ve ever had.”
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