Academies celebrate going hi-tech
Zandra Rhodes officially
opens Strood Academy
by Rebecca Hughes
Flagship academies in Medway have been celebrating their new
state-of-the-art facilities.
Both Strood and Brompton academies held ceremonies last week to
mark the work done to transform their sites with new classrooms,
sports pitches and performing arts facilities.
On Thursday, fashion designer Zandra Rhodes returned to Strood
Academy, in Carnation Road, for the opening of its new £27 million
buildings.
The fashion designer turned the first turf to launch the start
of building work on the site in March 2011.
She said: “I can’t believe how quickly they have built this. I
think it is a great asset for Strood and they have got something to
be proud of.”
The buildings cover more than 14,000sq m, includes six science
laboratories, library and seminar spaces, a sixth form centre,
dance and drama studios and eight IT suites.
The site also boasts a wind turbine, the first at a school in
the Medway Towns, which generates up to 17% of the school’s
electricity.
Student Annabelle Barrett, 16, said: “The facilities here are
really good. It is a much cleaner environment now and the
atmosphere has changed completely. It’s a great place to
learn.”
Brompton Academy, in Marlborough
Road, Gillingham, has also been celebrating at a topping out
ceremony marking the end of the exterior construction.
The building work includes an
all-weather sports pitch, a scientific lecture theatre, drama
theatre, sports hall, fitness suite and coffee bar, which is due to
be completed by July.
Head teacher Judy Rider, pictured
right with pupils and staff, said: “Our current building is 54
years old and has under-sized classrooms. This new build is about
creating a current learning environment that is going to be hi-tech
with students using iPads and teachers no longer using
whiteboards.
“It is the way forward for learning
and the buildings are fantastic.”
18/12/12
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