New Look School is a Step Closer

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Building work at Dormer Wells will mean extra school places

A 1930s Ealing school is on its way to being transformed into a state-of-the-art facility.

A 'topping out' ceremony took place at The Dormers Wells High School building on Friday 4 November.

Students and staff joined the Leader of Ealing Council, councillor Julian Bell, headteacher Maggy Aylott and representatives of Ealing’s Local Education Partnership, Future Ealing, in celebrating the completion of the building’s structure by placing the final shovel of concrete.

Building work started in February. More than 30 lorry loads of steel have been used so far, along with 850 lorry loads of concrete – enough to fill two Olympic sized swimming pools.

The next phase of construction will concentrate on the external cladding and finishing the interior of the building, making sure that it is ready for students and staff to move into next Summer.

The £30million project is part of Ealing’s reduced Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

The main features of the school investment are:
· Extra school places
· Provision of a hearing impaired unit
· New facilities including new business and ICT suites at the front of the school
· A new sixth-form area
· A large, well-resourced library at the heart of the school
· Landscaped outdoor spaces with new school allotments
· Sports facilities include two football pitches, a cricket pitch and nets, high jump, running track and long-jump
· New furniture and equipment throughout the school
· Significant ICT investment.

Councillor Julian Bell, Leader of Ealing Council, said: “The new school building is taking shape at an impressive rate. It’s amazing to think that we stood on this very spot just eight months ago for the groundbreaking ceremony, and now we can clearly see how the new building is going to look.

“I’m so pleased for everyone involved. They should be proud of their achievements. Their hard work is really starting to pay off.”

Maggy Aylott, headteacher of Dormers Wells High School, said: “It’s been wonderful watching our new school building take shape over the last seven months. The staff and students are really looking forward to the summer when we can finally move in and start our outstanding school’s next chapter.”

Ian Woosey, Director of Future Ealing, said: “It is great to celebrate another significant milestone on this very important project. Within another 12 months, the students of Dormers Wells will benefit from being taught in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility.”

For more information, go to www.ealing.gov.uk/bsf.

 
17th November 2011