Head teacher adds ‘final bolt’
A head teacher has added the final bolt to the skeleton structure of his new school.
Paul Gillis, head of Whitworth Park School in Spennymoor, was taken up a height in a cherry-picker before screwing the last bolt into the £11m extension.
The development, which is expected to be ready in September, will see Tudhoe Grange School merge with Spennymoor School to create Whitworth Park School and Sixth Form College, in County Durham.
The plan will see part of the existing 1950s-built school demolished and a three-storey sixth form block and reception area built, with the combined number of pupils rising to 1,246.
Finley Structures have completed the 150-tonne steel structure on behalf of main contractor Carillion.
Mr Gillis said: “I’m thrilled to be adding the final bolt to this hugely exciting development.
“The extension will mean an enormous amount to the school and the community of Spennymoor. It’ll bring facilities that will be second-to-none which will enable us to raise aspirations and ambitions throughout the school.”
Thirty pupils from Whitworth School were given a behind-the-scenes tour of Finley Structures to see how their new school is being made. They also signed a plate of steel, which has been welded into the new structure.
Gary Finley, director of the family-run firm whose daughter attends the school, said: “This development meant a little bit more than most of our contracts, but it’s always a pleasure to work with schools and to show children around so they can see how we go about building their new facility.
“It’s always nice to involve the young people wherever we can and it’s rewarding to see them come in and learn about our operations.”
Carillion’s community liaison manager Jane Braybrook added: “It’s important for the school and the pupils to have ownership of the new school so we’ve been working hard to involve them as much as we possibly can.
“I’m sure the children and youngsters will be delighted with the extension when it’s fully completed next year.”
Carillion plc is one of the UK’s leading support services and construction companies and has constructed dozens of schools throughout the North-East in recent years through the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.
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