Harrogate school secures £1 million bid for new facility

Harrogate Grammar School (HGS) has secured a £1million bid from the Education Funding Agency (EFA) to refurbish its '˜crumbling' science block.
Miss Anne Maguire, Faculty Leader Science and Dr David Robson, Assistant Headteacher and Physics Teacher hold plans for the new facility in one of the current science labs.Miss Anne Maguire, Faculty Leader Science and Dr David Robson, Assistant Headteacher and Physics Teacher hold plans for the new facility in one of the current science labs.
Miss Anne Maguire, Faculty Leader Science and Dr David Robson, Assistant Headteacher and Physics Teacher hold plans for the new facility in one of the current science labs.

The 1950’s facility was constructed some 20 years later than the rest of the school building and has been a source of no-end problems in recent years.

But after HGS secured the money from the Condition Improvement Fund of the EFA at the end of February, work is scheduled to start during the May half term.

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Headteacher, Richard Sheriff, said: “We have been trying for quite some time to get the funding to demolish the block and completely replace it with up to date accommodation.

“Staff and students who use the rooms in this block will know the problems we have had with heating, water leaks, failing windows and none of us will be sad to see it go.”

The existing building will be demolished and replaced with four new laboratories, a prep room and a new link corridor on the ground floor at the busiest area in theschool.

Mr Sheriff added: “Science is a key area of the curriculum and we want this project to help further our students interest and enthusiasm for science learning.

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“With more and more of our students choosing to study science right through to A Level we want to provide the high quality facilities that will support their success.”

The school said there may be some short-term re-organisation of science lessons while the work is being completed.

However much of the work will be when years 11 and 13 have left so disruption is kept to a minimum and construction is scheduled to be completed in the autumn term.

Now the school is appealing to local people, businesses and organisations for sponsorship and financial support with the project.

If you, or your company, are interested in supporting the school in this project contact HGS Finance Director, Steve Howell.

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