Student council to officially open Pudsey Grangefield

One of the city’s newest and most innovative school buildings is to be officially opened by its student council.

Pudsey Grangefield School (Maths and Computing College) was one of the first built as part of the Leeds BSF (Building Schools for the Future) programme and opened its doors in 2008 to praise from students, staff and the local community. The school’s innovative design won the New Build category at the Leeds Architecture Awards 2009.

Now, two years later, the school will be officially opened by young people from the school’s student council, who will unveil a plaque marking the occasion.

The official opening will take place at 9.15am and will be attended by the school’s principal, Ken Cornforth, pupils and invited guests who were involved in the school’s rebuild.

Ken Cornforth, principal at Pudsey Grangefield, said:
“The design of our new building is transforming the school experience of our students. The innovative and flexible learning environments our building provides are equipping our young people with 21st century skills and creating confident and ‘professional’ lifelong learners.

“The students are extremely proud of their new facilities and the opportunities they provide - a pride they share with the many visitors we receive from home and abroad throughout the year. I believe it is therefore most appropriate that our students themselves formally open their magnificent place of learning.”

Councillor Sue Bentley, lead member for education at Leeds City Council, said:
“Pudsey Grangefield is a shining example of the future of education. The state-of-the-art buildings help to prepare young people for life outside of school by ensuring they have access to facilities found in offices, universities and many types of industry and business. It is a school Leeds can be proud of.”

Chris Edwards, chief executive of Education Leeds, said:
“Investment in secondary schools through the BSF programme has enabled thousands of young people to learn in some of the best facilities in the country.

“Pudsey Grangefield is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when you combine first class facilities with excellent teaching. It will be an important statement about what lies at the heart of our work for young people from the student council to officially open their fantastic school.”

The school has many state-of-the-art facilities including innovative open learning areas, break-out spaces and show-and-tell rooms which provide informal discussion and presentation areas for up to 50 students.

The building has a minimal amount of corridors to ensure it is as open and welcoming as possible while the central 'street' and general teaching areas are linked by a three-floor hub of ICT facilities, library and resources.

Pudsey Grangefield has attracted several plaudits and awards, including:

• • Highly commended in the 'Inspiring Design' category at the BCSE Awards 2009;
• • Used to illustrate CABE's corporate strategy for the next three years, 'Shape the future';
• • Shortlisted for Most versatile learning environment award at PfS Excellence in BSF awards 2009;
• • Winner of best new building award, Leeds Architecture awards 2009
• • Highly commended in the 'Inspiring Design' category at the BCSE Awards which took place at The Emirate's Stadium in London last year.

Leeds West Academy – public meeting over state-of-the-art new facility

Leeds West Academy will receive a state-of-the-art new facility through Leeds’ award-winning Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

The building is a once in a generation investment for Bramley, and will provide 21st-century learning and facilities for the academy’s young people, staff and the wider community.

Since the outline application for planning permission was granted in June 2009, Leeds City Council, Education Leeds, Leeds West Academy and its sponsor, EACT, have been developing the design for the new building.

It will be built on the existing rugby pitch, after which the old building will be demolished to make way for a new sports pitch and games area. Leeds City Council has made a ‘Reserved Matters’ planning application which proposes what Leeds West Academy’s new 21st century learning environment will look like.

The application will include the detailed design of the building, the layout of car parking areas, footpaths, sports pitches and other landscaped areas.

We want to make sure that parents, carers, residents, community groups and all interested parties have an opportunity to find out more before the plans are considered by the Council’s West Plans Panel next year.

Public meeting

We have arranged a public meeting in the academy’s main hall on Wednesday 13 January 2010, at 6pm (please click on the flyer for details).

This is your opportunity to:

• • listen to a brief talk about the new building;
• • meet key representatives of the Academy, EACT, Education Leeds, Leeds City Council, and the Environments for Learning consortium (E4L);
• • view plans showing the detailed design of the building, landscaping, access, footpaths, parking and appearance of the area; and
• • have your say about the development.

Full copies of the Reserved Matters application and the full planning application for the early works can be found in Armley Library. The applications can also be viewed through the Public Access system on the Council’s website by following the link: http://planningapplications.leeds.gov.uk/publicaccess.

Any letters of representation in relation to either application must clearly state the relevant application reference number(s) and can be sent to Planning Services, Leeds City Council, Leonardo Building, 2 Rossington Street, Leeds, LS2 8HD. Representations can also be made online through the Council’s Public Access system, as above, or by email to: planning@leeds.gov.uk.

Pudsey Grangefield highly commended in BCSE Industry awards

Pudsey Grangefield school has been highly commended at the national British Council for School Environments awards.

The state-of-the-art school, built as part of the Leeds BSF (Building Schools for the Future) programme, opened in September 2008 to high praise from students, staff and the local community.

Now, in recognition of its successes, the school has been highly commended in the ‘Inspiring Design’ category at the BCSE Awards which took place at The Emirate’s Stadium, London, yesterday (Wednesday).

The school combines a range of learning spaces with state-of-the art ICT equipment. It is loosely faculty based with innovative open learning areas, break-out spaces and show-and-tell rooms which provide informal briefing, discussion and presentation areas where up to 50 students can learn in a relaxed atmosphere.

The building has a minimal amount of corridors to ensure it is as open and welcoming as possible while the central ‘street’ and general teaching areas are linked by a three-floor hub of ICT facilities, library and resources.

Personalised learning is an important aspect of Pudsey Grangefield and the school has been designed to reflect that. The flexible classrooms are equipped with smartboards and wireless learning is available across the school to encourage children to take control of their learning and develop their skills as much as possible.

Councillor Richard Harker, executive board member for learning at Leeds City Council, said:
“Leeds City Council is transforming learning in the city through state-of-the-art buildings and 21st-century provision. This recognition, at such a prestigious awards ceremony, highlights the successes which have been achieved in the city so far.”

Chris Edwards, chief executive of Education Leeds, said:
The BCSE awards ceremony is a prestigious event which reflects the huge steps being made in education across Britain. The fact that Pudsey Grangefield has been highly commended illustrates the excellent work being carried out in the city.”

Ty Goddard, chief executive of the BCSE, said:
“The quality of entries led to intense debate amongst the judges, which is how it should be. Pudsey Grangefield School shows that the right resources and approach can produce great projects which we can be proud of.

“Our thanks go to all for being willing to invest their time and energy in a project which ensures pupils and teachers have such an inspirational centre to learn, play and teach in. These awards are a big ‘thank you’ to all those across the sectors helping to make our schools better.”

The next new BSF school to open will be Swallow Hill Community College - the new secondary school for Armley and Wortley - in September 2009.