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Education News

Design revealed for £21m secondary academy in North Swindon

More than 120 parents and children growing town in the country.
visited a public consultation “We aim to prepare learners for
evening on 20 July to discuss further study and the world of
the new Great Western Academy work, business and enterprise with
(GWA), in advance of a formal a big focus on using IT and digital
planning application in August. technologies to do this.
To be built on a 14.5 acre site in “BAM has a great record in the
the north east sector of Tadpole education sector and I believe that
Garden Village, on land previously they will deliver a fantastic building
allocated for employment, the with the best facilities in the area.”
school will provide teaching and BAM were the lead contractors in
learning space for 1,250 students the conversion of former Swindon
at secondary level, and also post-16 railway works in the town centre
study. to create the town’s University The external appearance of Great Western Academy at Tadpole
There will be five forms of entries. Technical College, UTC Swindon. Garden Village to be considered by Swindon’s planning committee
At present the school will fill up one The design has been developed by
year at a time which means there award-winning international design what it will be like for the first year old Nathan enters secondary
will be 150 places available. practice Scott Brownrigg. It will children without older students. Mr school in 2018 and Mae will be
The academy is sponsored by include state-of-the-art facilities Taylor explained that New College leaving primary school two years
New College Swindon and if the for IT, Science and Maths, Design students would act as buddies to later.”
three storey building is approved and Technology and the Creative support the pupils which will be a There will be no catchment area
by Swindon Council’s planning Arts (Music, Drama and Dance). good experience. under free school admission rules.
committee, BAM Construction Ltd, At the consultation event, parent “We would like to know more as GWA will publish its admission
which has been commissioned by Carla Barker said: “The designs look details become available as my 9 criteria in 2017.
the Education Funding Agency (EFA) impressive and the New College
will deliver the £21 million facility vision for education in the future
to open in September 2018. is very interesting. I just hope the
Graham Taylor, principal of New school opens in time and that Millie
College and project lead for the will be chosen as one the first 150
GWA bid, said: “This is an exciting students.
community project which will Ali Dickinson from Redhouse
provide a much-needed, new school commented: “It sounds really
for Swindon; the third fastest positive though I’m wondering

Putting the pieces together: New College principal Graham Taylor
assembling the model of Great Western Academy at the consultation event
Bid to open another primary school

On the back of their successful bid The plan is for a two-form entry
for a secondary school, and with (60 places) school, a capacity of
encouragement from North Swindon 420 pupils in total. A nursery will be
MP Justin Tomlinson, New College included in the bid.
Swindon is leading a partnership to New College principal Graham
submit an application for a primary Taylor said: “We’re delighted to be
school adjacent to Great Western submitting a bid for a primary school
Academy (GWA) at Tadpole Garden to be located next to Great Western
Village. Academy.
Using Swindon Council population Justin Tomlinson MP commented:
data, there is a predicted shortage “Having spent 10 years as a North
of primary school places in Swindon Swindon councillor and now as
because of population growth and the MP I know just how vital it
new housing developments. is to remain one step ahead of
Being located next to GWA, the demand for primary school places.
primary pupils will be able to share With additional homes being built
and access resources to enrich their at Tadpole Farm, Abbey Farm and
teaching and learning. St Andrews Ridge, there is a clear
If the bid to the Education Funding requirement to provide those places
Agency is successful, Great Western early.”
Primary will open in September See more information at:
2019. www.greatwesternprimary.org
12 swindonlink.com n August 2016

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