Multi-million pound school project opens doors to students
A new middle and high school have opened in Hexham and are welcoming students for the first time, following over £37m of investment.
Students and staff at Hexham Middle School and Queen Elizabeth High School now have access to large classrooms, open learning spaces, and spacious dining and sports halls.
Northumberland County Council commissioned the works in early 2019, securing additional funding from the Department for Education for the project.
Cllr Cath Homer, local ward member for Hexham East, said: ‘I am so pleased that children and young people in Hexham and the surrounding areas are now able to access these great educational facilities.
‘It is a wonderful achievement to finally see the two new schools and all the additional facilities open for use by the staff, students and wider community. It is without doubt that both Queen Elizabeth High School and Hexham Middle School have always delivered good quality education for our children despite the deteriorating condition of the former buildings and finally we are able to see first class facilities to match that education offer.’
Graeme Atkins, executive headteacher at Hadrian Learning Trust, added: ‘The great thing about this project is the distinct identity each school retains whilst still enabling the benefits of a very close working relationship in the interests of pupils.
‘It provides a clear sense of progression through the different phases of a young person’s educational journey, providing each individual with a ‘home of their own’. We are all so pleased to have now welcomed them back into their new facilities and can’t wait for them to start enjoying this great learning environment, which will also benefit the wider community.’
Feeding off the Grade-II listed Hydro building, which has been fully refurbished, are the new middle and high school buildings, forming a cloistered courtyard at the centre of the site, using reclaimed materials from the walled garden.
Students have already benefited from some of the new facilities prior to the summer break, including the 3G pitch, made possible by investment from the Premier League, The FA and the government’s Football Foundation.
In related news, following outline planning approval earlier this year, Southampton City Council has approved the commercial terms for the Leisure World scheme, enabling progress towards a start on site in early 2023.
Photo supplied by Northumberland County Council