This in from the council. Ed
A landmark occasion in the construction of the new Cowes secondary school takes place on Friday 19 November.
A ground breaking ceremony, marking the start of the construction of the £30m plus facility, begins at 1100.
Isle of Wight Council Leader David Pugh will break the ground. He will be accompanied by representatives from construction firm Pihl UK, Cowes Pathfinder Trust, current Cowes High students and governors and trustees of the new school, which will become known as Cowes Enterprise College.
David Pugh said “It’s great to finally see the start of construction of the new secondary school at Cowes.
“The facility is one of the key parts of the school reorganisation and will be one of the most modern and environmentally friendly educational facilities in the whole country when built.
“It’s a very exciting day and the Island will soon have a community facility it can be proud of”
Building Schools for the Future
Rachael Fidler from the Cowes Pathfinder Trust (CPT) said “The CPT is very pleased to be working in partnership with the local authority to develop this wonderful new school for the Cowes community and the Island.”
The school, which has been funded under the Building Schools for the Future scheme, will feature a range of facilities, not just for students but also for the general public to use.
These include:
* An all-weather floodlight sports pitch
* A 650-seat conference centre/auditorium
* multi-use games areas
* green gym
* early years provision
* outdoors amphitheatre
The building itself will have heating and hot water supplied by its own biomass plant and make maximum use of natural ventilation and lighting. It will be topped by a fully accessible ‘bio-diverse roof’ featuring landscaped plants and gardens that will serve as a mini-nature reserve.
Innovative educational facilities include;
* An central atrium that provides an inspirational learning environment
* External and external courtyards and spaces offering both social and learning areas
* A living science garden
* Music recording studio
* A working teaching-kitchen
* Rooftop conference area for staff, pupils and governors.
The school will be handed over to IW Council and Cowes Pathfinder Trust ahead of the start of the 2012/13 academic year.
