Construction work starts on new school

The turf cutting ceremony to commence the start of the new building
Gabriel Reynolds (with the spade) Front row: Robert Dring, David Langley, Pupils at Darnhill PRU. Second row: Cheryl Eastwood, Executive Director Children’s Services, Councillor Donna Martin, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, Rosemary Jones, School Governor, Keith Hill, BSF Lead Rochdale Borough Council, Sheila Higginbottom School Business Manager, Brian Ashworth, School Governor

Work has started to construct a new school for the Brownhill Learning Community on the existing Darnhill Study Centre site in Heywood, as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme.
 
The new school, on Sutherland Road will replace the existing building and will open in October 2012. It will be a single story building consisting of five key areas made up of three learning clusters, a support wing and a separate performance area which will all be accessed from an open plan, multifunctional ‘street’.
 
Councillor Donna Martin, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, said: “This new building is part of our ongoing investment into education across the borough and will enable pupils to learn and thrive in a modern environment.”
 
Project managers inspiredspaces, along with construction partner Carillion who designed the building, have created a building that is energy efficient through the use of good insulation, controlled lighting, natural ventilation and the maximisation of natural day-lighting. Construction materials have also been carefully chosen to reduce energy consumption and damage to the environment.
 
Claire Butler, of inspiredspaces, added: “The new building is designed to allow opportunities to engage with the community. Its use will be very flexible to encourage a variety of learning and play related activities in a more informal setting.

"We’ve really worked hard at trying to cut the total carbon emissions for this project and through the design we’ll reduce energy demand.”