19 April 2005

START DATE ANNOUNCED FOR NEW SCHOOL

What everyone was waiting for was finally announced today, building work on the new Boldon School will start on Tuesday 03 May.

AFTER the initial announcement last year, pupils and staff at Boldon School have been eagerly awaiting the building work to start on the new school. Finally, after many meetings, contract signing, rumour and speculation, the construction team will begin moving their equipment in.

The 1,050-pupil school will boast a four-lane swimming pool and 200-seat theatre. It is being built with £17.5m of Private Finance Initiative cash.

Councillor Jim Foreman, South Tyneside Council’s Lead Member, Lifelong Learning and Leisure, said: “The start of work on the new Boldon School is incredibly exciting. It is another step forward in realising our vision of building schools for the future throughout the borough and giving young people the best chances in life.

“The new development will produce an outstanding educational environment for the 21stCentury and will significantly enhance the school’s reputation for sporting excellence.

”We are providing excellent new facilities which will benefit the whole community. As well as the 25m swimming pool, there will be a 594 sq metre sports hall – about the size of four badminton courts - a gymnasium, sauna and fitness room.

“The 200-seat theatre will be provided with a state-of-the-art lighting and sound system.  All these facilities will be available to the public in the evenings and at weekends as part of our aim to open up schools to people of all ages, placing our learning centres at the heart of our communities and making South Tyneside a place where learning is never over.”

The playing fields will also be upgraded with improved drainage to the sports pitches and a new floodlit all-weather football pitch and multi-use games area.