Multi-million pound works to give The Arnewood School a major re-fit will be ready for January 2019.
The school’s Scola block and changing rooms have undergone a £3.2 million overhaul, thanks to a successful capital bid to the Education Funding Agency, to vastly improve the look and environmental performance of the buildings.
Staff and students will have full use of the Scola building and changing rooms when they come back after the Christmas Holiday.
The smart new look on the outside, complete with a new roof is only part of the renovation. The entire top floor has been refurbished with new ceilings, LED lighting and new floor coverings. All windows have been replaced which will help keep the building warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. There is also a new improved WIFI system.
All rooms now have carbon dioxide detectors and the first floor benefits from a new air handling system to improve airflow in the science laboratories.
Student toilets have been replaced with smart new facilities and a colour scheme that was chosen by the school council.
A new state of the art CCTV system has been installed as well as a lift, which will improve access for students with restricted mobility.
This project has seen a refurbishment of the changing rooms which are now bright, airy and well ventilated. Both male and female changing facilities offer eight cubicles for showering as well as new WC facilities for students. In addition, there are now disabled and LGBTQ changing facilities.
The hall, gym and courtyard have seen window replacements and with careful value engineering, the external cladding has also been replaced.
A further bid has also been put into the Education Funding Agency to refurbish the Rosla building which houses the music and drama departments.