State-of-the-art £36.5m school opens for lessons
It is very different to the drafty old stone and brick buildings supplemented with pre-fabricated panels that were once the defining image of Welsh schools.
One of the latest generation of new school buildings, which cost £36.5m, yesterday welcomed its first pupils.
Caldicot School will be home to 1,500 pupils and has been built next to the building it replaced, which was built in 1958.
Photographs taken on its opening day show a building dominated by colourful chairs, large windows, and large airy open spaces filled with light.
Headteacher Susan Gwyer-Roberts said: “I’m looking forward to welcoming pupils and colleagues into our 21st century school this September. I would like to thank staff, pupils, parents, governors and all our partners for their significant contribution into the design, to make this an inclusive learning environment for everyone.
“We have captured all that is currently very successful about our school and based on our values, we have enhanced it. These new spaces can now be used in the best possible way for all pupils to enjoy their learning and progress to adult life with the skills and knowledge to equip them for employment and lifelong learning.”
Councillor Richard John, Monmouthshire’s cabinet member for Children and Young people, said: “It has been totally inspiring to visit Caldicot School. I look forward to hearing feedback from staff and students when they begin the new term and seeing the completion of the whole campus by summer 2018.
“This is a significant achievement and one which highlights how effectively Monmouthshire’s 21st Century Schools Programme is working.
“We look forward now to the next stage of our building programme with the completion of Monmouth Comprehensive School – also part of the programme and currently under construction.”
The building includes naturally lit classrooms, a large hall, theatre-style areas and studio spaces for students to study informally. There are also quiet areas. Cinema-quality projectors have been donated by audio-visual specialists Ricoh, and there is interactive technology for teachers to share information with colleagues and students.
The building is designed to be energy-efficient with a self-cooling system for hot weather and heat release to reduce the need for traditional heating. Natural light has been optimised throughout with automatic lighting to save electricity.
Funded by Monmouthshire council and the Welsh Government the school was designed and built by international support services and construction group Interserve – with 70% of the builders, electricians, plumbers and engineers on site living in the area, including some past pupils.
Many local apprentices have learned skills on site and work experience students also contributed to the project.
Community groups will also be able to use the new school’s facilities. The dance studio and hall can be used for meetings, groups and fitness classes and the stage area can be used by local choirs and amateur dramatic groups.