School move is on pupils' timetable

Members of the pupil school council at Hawes Side Aacdemy in Blackpool enjoyed a preview tour of their new school building, which is due to open next month.
Pictured outside the new main entrance are L-R: Taylor, Bethany, Amelia, Head Mike Shepherd, Chloe Gracie and Jasmine. PIC BY ROB LOCK
27-10-2016 — Members of the pupil school council at Hawes Side Aacdemy in Blackpool enjoyed a preview tour of their new school building, which is due to open next month. Pictured outside the new main entrance are L-R: Taylor, Bethany, Amelia, Head Mike Shepherd, Chloe Gracie and Jasmine. PIC BY ROB LOCK 27-10-2016

For the children and staff at Hawes Side Academy will at last be moving into their top class new school buildings as construction work is completed.

The project, part of a £20m project to build two new schools in the resort under the Government’s Priority School Building Programme sees the South Shore school get a new two-storey building with 21 new classrooms, an outside learning areas, a games court and new car parking.

Headteacher Michael Shepherd said: “The builders are just putting the finishing touches and we are a breath away from opening.

“The children will come back from half-term on November 10 to a school which is state-of-the-art.

“This was a once in a life-time opportunity to create a school exactly the way we all wanted it and the builders who have been wonderful have worked closely with us every step of the way.

“The centre piece is a beautiful new library, promoting reading is something we are extremely keen on.

“The classrooms are bright and airy, the furniture is ergonomically designed and allows a flexible layout.

“It can be moved into semi-circular arrangement so the teacher can work closely with small groups.

“Technology wise we have teaching walls. These are large touch screen which connect to the children’s Surface Tablets

“We have signed up with Microsoft to become one of their showcase schools.”

He said the old buildings will now be demolished and the area landscaped with out-door teaching facilities and car parking in place after Easter next year.

He said: “I think this will make a huge difference.

“The children are very excited, although I think we will be sad to see the old buildings go. The last day before half term was bound to be emotional.”

In July thousands of former pupils had the chance to take a final look around the old Pedders Lane premises, which opened in 1937, at a special open day along with a series of guided tours.

Mr Shepherd added: “We had that fantastic open day in summer and all the history work we did has been turned into A5 sized poster which have been put up in the new school as a history wall.

“The community has been incredibly supportive and patient, as have our staff and I would like to thank them and the builders Morgan Sindall for everything.”