Back to BSF school for Beaumont Leys
22 April 2009
Students and Staff at Beaumont Leys School, Leicester, will start the summer term in a transformed learning environment with state-of-the-art facilities as the school opens six weeks ahead of schedule.
Students and Staff at Beaumont Leys School, Leicester, will start the summer term in a transformed learning environment with state-of-the-art facilities as the school opens six weeks ahead of schedule.
Part of Leicester’s £14m Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, the project has created an inspiring learning environment for over 1,000 students and 150 staff, with bright colours, light airy comfortable spaces filled with new, modern equipment and furniture.A centre-piece Inclusion Suite increases the provision for students with Special and Additional Educational Needs (SEN & AEN) will further enhance Beaumont Leys’ reputation as a leader in re-engaging vulnerable learners.
The building has also received an ‘excellent’ BREEAM rating which recognises its environmental credentials.
Beaumont Leys will not only provide new facilities and resources for students. Members of the community will be able to make use of the new facilities including:
· the Sports Hall;
· Dance and Drama studios;
· A flood-lit games facility , and
· dining facilities suitable for conferences and weddings
Innovative technology is at the heart of this project, and the school’s new Managed Learning Environment, provided by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) specialists Northgate Managed Services will enable teachers and learners to access resources, information and applications anywhere and anytime. Students and staff have access to 350 computers and laptops and 50 interactive whiteboards through the wireless network which reaches out into the playground. Students will even be able to send their work to the school’s printers from the comfort of their own home.
Leicester Miller Education Company, which has delivered the schools on behalf of Leicester City Council, was able to offer a new build solution following a review of the original designs which planned for a refurbishment for the school.
Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Partnerships for Schools, the government agency responsible for delivering the BSF programme, said: “Building Schools for the Future is all about giving young people a better and a brighter future. The investment in Beaumont Leys – the second BSF school to open in the city – will not only give students and teachers a safe, welcoming and inspiring place to learn, but will also be a real asset to its local community.
“With 58 BSF schools now open across the country, including Beaumont Leys which was completed early and on budget, the national programme to rebuild and renew secondary schools is gaining momentum. Building Schools for the Future is about much more than simply bricks and mortar about, it is about improving the life chances of young people and making a positive difference to local communities – I look forward to learning more about the impact of Beaumont Leys for all learners.”
Liz Logie, Headteacher of Beaumont Leys School, said: “We have always been ambitious for our students and are constantly encouraging them to aim high, our school motto is ‘Together We Achieve Success’. We believe we have worked together with all our partners to make this BSF project a real success. We have come far in our old building but in this inspiring new school we will really fly. The school’s role as the hub of its community is where I see the greatest opportunity for the new buildings. The facilities are truly exciting and will be uplifting for students, staff and, the broader community.
“This whole project has been a learning experience for staff and pupils alike and our close relationships with Leicester Miller Education Partnership and Miller Construction, the main contractor, has enabled us to take possession of the school early and begin to reap the benefits that our new surroundings will bring.”
Stephen Trebble, General Manager, Leicester Miller Education Company, said: “Beaumont Leys is the first BSF project to complete significantly early, and this has been made possible due to partnership that has been established with the Council, the school and the main contractor. There is a shared vision for the delivery of first-class education facilities in Leicester and we are all delighted to see the vision come to fruition.
“Leicester is setting a blueprint for the education facilities for future generations.”
Local Ward Councillor and Education Lead, Vi Dempster, expressed her “absolute delight” at this development.
