Bracknell

A project to rebuild Garth Hill College in Bracknell got the go-head from Bracknell Forest Borough Council's Executive yesterday (July 25).

Bracknell Councillors approved a report recommending Garth Hill be designated for funding under the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) Building Schools for the Future scheme. This offers cash to rebuild one school.

The £25million project will involve constructing a brand new Bracknell school, demolishing the old buildings and providing top class sports facilities for use by students and the local community.

The Council applied to DfES for funds to rebuild Garth Hill back in 2003 and consulted the local community and education specialists on a masterplan for the redevelopment of the school.

That bid was turned down in February 2004 because it had prioritised schools in more deprived areas.

But now DfES has said money will be made available for Bracknell Forest where rebuilding will have the greatest impact.

The masterplan including estimated costs will be resubmitted to DfES in the autumn after which the Council will be told exactly how much money it will get for the project. A further report on the project will then be presented to Executive.

The masterplan will be implemented in three phases:

* Phase one - creation of new playing field facilities on the Bull Lane field;
* Phase two - construction of new school buildings on the existing playing field;
* Phase three - disposal and demolition of the old school buildings.

Stan Turner, Principal of Garth Hill College, Bracknell said: "Everyone at Garth Hill is delighted with this news. The College has improved tremendously in recent years but the new facilities will provide an outstanding learning environment for our young people which will help them achieve even higher standards.

"The development of a new College will see the introduction of a wide range of sporting, leisure, cultural and social facilities which will be available to the local community.

"The total rebuilding of the College into a state-of-the-art educational institution for 11-19 year olds comes at a perfect time as we are preparing to implement the government’s extended services programme in the Garth Hill area.

"Consequently everyone living within the local community will have the opportunity to benefit."

Tony Eccleston, Director of Bracknell Education, Children's Services and Libraries, said: "This is great news for Garth Hill and for the local community.

"The new school will provide a modern learning environment in which our children will thrive helping to raise standards at Garth Hill even further."

Cllr Alan Ward, Executive Member for Bracknell Education and Libraries, said: "The prospect of a brand new school with top class facilities is now a reality. It has been my determination for several years to provide first class education for the people of north Bracknell. This is the final piece in the jigsaw."

The DfES Building Schools for the Future programme sets out how every secondary school in the country, including Bracknell Forest's six secondaries, will be rebuilt or renewed over the next 15 years.

The One School Pathfinder programme, under which Garth Hill is to be rebuilt, assists some Councils that would come towards the end of the main programme.

For more information about Garth Hill College visit:www.garthhill.bracknell-forest.sch.uk

Bracknell Forest Borough Council