A major milestone has been reached after a distinctive domed roof has been lifted into place on a new school building in Bradford.
A special 'topping out' ceremony to celebrate the completion of the main superstructure will be held at the Tong High School site in Westgate Hill Street on Thursday, 6 December, from 11.30am.
The school is part of Bradford Council's massive £400 million Building Schools for the Future Programme to rebuild or revamp every secondary school in the district.
The ten-year partnership is designed to transform education, delivering 21st century environments to raise attainment in first-class, modern and inspirational buildings.
The new Tong High School, which is a Specialist Sports College, is being rebuilt at the same time as Buttershaw and Salt Grammar as part of phase one of the scheme.
It will have a distinctive roof with domes similar to those at Cornwall's Eden Project.
All three schools, costing £70 million in total, will open in September 2008 and they will be linked by an online learning programme.
Coun Colin Gill, the Council's Executive Member for Services for Children and Young People, said: "This is a fantastic achievement and now pupils, staff and parents can start to see what their new school will look like.
"It is a very exciting time for Bradford and by September we will have three new schools opening in the district as part of this once-in-a-lifetime programme to transform our schools."
Kath Tunstall, Strategic Director for Services for Children and Young People, said: "This is a major step in this landmark project which will ensure our pupils are learning in up-to-date environments which give them access to the modern technology and skills they need in the 21st century."
Tony Smith, Integrated Bradford Local Education Partnership General Manager, said: "This is a great achievement for Bradford’s Local Education Partnership, drawing together the public and private sectors, the schools themselves and the wider community. In addition to providing excellent facilities for coming generations of students, the school we are unveiling today will be a great resource for all of the district’s population."
Headteacher Lyn O'Reilly said: "The students, staff and governors are now very excited about moving to the new school.
"We know that the whole community will benefit from a superb school which will engage and enthuse all learners.
"Our commitment to raising achievement for all will be strengthened by this genuine investment in the learning environment."
Guests, including Bradford South Labour MP and Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe, will listen to welcome speeches at the present school site before being transferred by bus to the building site for a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the atrium under the new domed roof.
They will also be able to see plans and models of the new building, which is taking shape next to the present school.
The new building will also include a swimming pool and all-weather sports pitches which will be open to the community in out of school hours for use by the rest of the community.
Media Relations Officer:
Carolyne Coyle
Telephone: 01274 433526
Fax: 01274 432005
Email: press.communications@bradford.gov.uk
Date: 4.12.07
