Building for the Future

The above webcam shot is updated every 15 seconds and shows the building work taking place on the new Junior Girls' School.  The latest project report can be read here.

Bolton School's Building Project: 2008-10

News Item: July 2009 - New Junior Girls' School

• Bolton School is delighted to announce the building of a new school for Junior Girls, aged 7 to 11 years. The School's Governing Body has officially given the go ahead for the project, which it is expected will cost in the region of £5 million.
• The new three-storey building will be erected on the site of the old Infants' School, which has recently moved to brand new premises on Dobson Road.
• Building will begin over the summer and the School is delighted that the building work will be undertaken by Bolton based contractors G & J Seddon, who also completed the construction of the new Infants' School (for boys and girls aged 4 to 7 years). Start date is Monday 13 July 2009 and the finish date should be end of July 2010 - a 53/54 week contract, with the new school opening ready for the 2010/11 academic year, subject to any adverse weather or other unforeseen issues.
• Head of the Girls' Division at Bolton School, Mrs Gill Richards, said: "We are thrilled that building work will commence on the purpose-built state-of-the-art Junior School. This is a major investment in the lives of young girls across the region. Large classrooms and outstanding facilities will help us to deliver an education which combines the best of tradition and innovation. Moving the Junior School to their own site will also free up more classroom space in the Senior School and allow us to expand our curriculum provision."
• Clerk and Treasurer at the School, Mr Simon Marsden, said: "This is Phase II in our £18 million building programme and it represents the next very exciting stage in Bolton School's development as we seek to offer the very best in education for future generations from across the region."
• Most of the construction vehicular access will be from the existing Tudor Avenue grounds maintenance entrance, although some access will be needed at evenings and weekends through the Centre Archway. The pitch nominated for use by the Contractor will be reinstated with the appropriate drainage schemes just after Practical Completion.
• Staff parking will be largely unaffected and it is hoped some additional temporary spaces will be available on the old Beech House playground adjacent to the perimeter site fencing. There will be some impact to the out of hours parking for parents' evenings, concerts and other events - the Estates and Arts Centre team will endeavour to manage this efficiently as possible.

Infants' School - Beech House

• Bolton School took "ownership" of the new Infants' School on 11 May 2009. The following three weeks then saw the new building being prepared with all the required new and existing equipment, apparatus and learning materials, and the staff becoming familiar with everything inside and out.
• The first day of real activity was Monday 1 June when, amongst much excitement, all pupils and staff processed from the old Beech House to their brand new school, carrying balloons and singing songs. They were cheered on by parents and well-wishers. You can read more information about this day.
• A foundation stone was laid on 12 December 2008 by the former Chairman of Governors, Sir Alan Cockshaw.
• The Scheme was within budget and outcome cost was circa £5 Million.
• Following consultation with parents and children it was decided that the name of the Infants' School should remain as Beech House.

Boys' Junior School

• This project was completed on 18 May 2009 and pupils and staff are enjoying their new facilities and extra space.
• Head of Junior Boys, Mr Stephen Whittaker, said: "Pupils and staff are really enjoying our new facilities and I know future generations will too. The extended building, providing larger classrooms, and the refurbished facilities, including the dining hall and a wonderful new library have allowed boys to benefit from the extra space and the very latest equipment. I am personally delighted with our new-look school; it means we can continue to offer the very best in junior school education in even better accommodation."
• The work includes a permanent extension to the main school, comprising two Year 6 classrooms, a new library, changing rooms and showers, storage facilities, staff/visitor toilets, staff accommodation and a kitchen/dining hall.
• The reconfigured reception area and office accommodation was ready in September 2008.
• Outcome cost was circa £1.5 Million.

Sixth Form Centre

• Outline designs continue to be discussed with both Heads, the planners and members of the Governing Body.
• Plans are in place to engage in a strategic dialogue with the local council regarding travel and transport issues affecting the School.
• The School has been encouraged to present a selection of ideas at a regional design panel, which includes representatives from English Heritage - it is hoped this tactic will ease the political journey the Sixth Form Centre could take with the Council's planning committee.