Press release: First BSF-funded schools open
19 June 2006
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's press release:
£8m eco-school builds a better future for Solihull's special children
The headteachers of Forest Oak and Merstone Schools have become the proud owners of the keys to a brand new £8m campus.
The schools are the first in the country to be re-built as part of the Government's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme which aims to rebuild or refurbish every secondary school in England over the next 15 years.
The two schools will share a campus on the site of Smith's Wood secondary school, and together, they will cater for up to 180 pupils who will benefit from state-of-the-art ICT equipment as well as facilities such as a warm water pool, light and dark sensory rooms, specialist curriculum rooms and play facilities.
Built by Moss Construction, a 'living' grass roof, automatic air quality regulation, 'sun pipes' which channel natural light into the classrooms and a geo-thermal heating system are just some of the environmentally-friendly elements to be found at the schools.
Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People, Councillor Ken Meeson said: "Solihull has an excellent record of meeting all educational needs, with exceptionally dedicated staff who always put children first. We have delivered on time and on budget, a new campus that is a first class environment for taking forward our commitment to a brighter future for all our children."
Minister of State for Schools, Jim Knight MP, added: "Congratulations to everyone in Solihull who have worked so hard to make this project happen. The new campus sets down a marker for what can be achieved through Building Schools for the Future – intelligently designed schools that meet the needs of local children. Solihull is at the forefront of a programme that has the potential to transform learning for millions of children."
Pupils will be celebrating completion of the schools at a creative arts experience on Friday 23rd June before it is officially opened in the Autumn term.
