Cutting edge science campus could put County at national education forefront
Cutting edge science campus could put County at national education forefront
2008-03-13Newsfeed
A world-class benchmark in high quality science teaching could be created in County Durham.
A world-class benchmark in high quality science teaching could be created in County Durham.
Members of Durham County Council?s Cabinet are to be asked next week (March 20) to give the go ahead for investigations into the possibility of creating a novel school campus.
Based beside the regional Science Learning Centre at Framwellgate School, Durham, the trail-blazing initiative could bring together the secondary school, its next door neighbour primary school and Trinity Special School in a cutting edge national exemplar building providing education with science at its heart.
?The project would provide high quality science teaching across all phases of education in a state of the art, fully inclusive environment,? said Councillor Claire Vasey, Cabinet member for Children and Young People?s Services.
?At the same time, it would address what is now the challenging issue of the very poor facilities at Trinity Special School.
It also has the potential to develop community and business science facilities in a campus setting, placing science and technology at the heart of county and regional regeneration,? she said.
The proposed project is the result of a close working relationship between the three schools, the regional Science Learning Centre, which is part of Durham University, and the County Council who are all fully committed to further consultation.
Ways of funding the project still have to be ironed out but the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has said funding from the national Building Schools for the Future and Primary Capital Strategy programmes would be available to the County Council to support some new build for initiatives encompassing all phases of education.
Any building design would meet national guidelines for sustainability and provide sustainable education.
Young people would also be involved in the development of the project, if it goes ahead.
?This is a project which potentially has national significance. It is very likely to be the first that brings secondary, primary and special school education together with a science focus,? said Councillor Vasey.
?It demonstrates not only our innovative approach but also our commitment to science and technology led regeneration,? she said.
If Cabinet members give their approval, the schools and education officers will hold further discussions and consultations on how the project can move forward.
Add Comment | View All Comments (0)
