The Coleshill School pupils set to learn in buildings fit for the future

Education will be transformed for pupils at The Coleshill School who will benefit from new, modern and energy-efficient facilities after it was chosen to receive funding from the Government’s School Rebuilding Programme.

The school, part of the thriving Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP), submitted a bid to the Department for Education (DFE) to fund capital improvement works.   

School and Trust leaders are now excitedly awaiting a visit from the DFE’s project team to scope out which parts of the school might benefit from this additional funding.

Coleshill is one of 239 schools and sixth form colleges which will be transformed as part of the latest phase in the Government’s ten-year initiative. Since the School Rebuilding Programme began, 400 schools have been selected for improvement works, which will ensure new buildings are winter-resilient and net-zero in operation.

Richard Gill CBE, the ATLP’s CEO, said: “I am absolutely delighted as the redevelopment of The Coleshill School will ensure the growing school community has access to the best facilities and resources we can offer.

“Alongside our other major building projects at West Coventry Academy and Hill West School, ATLP’s Operations and Estates team will continue to work alongside and support school leaders. We are all thrilled at ATLP to have secured the future of The Coleshill School.

“The ATLP constantly strives to provide the very best possible learning environments for our children, who are at the heart of everything we do.”

News of the improvement works is a great reward for the ATLP’s Estates team which played a crucial role in securing the funding that will enable the school to become more sustainable and provide a high-quality environment for learning.

Estates used key data and worked with the DFE to prepare the bid for improvements and subsequently helped surveyors on site visits to highlight areas most in need of attention.

Ian Smith-Childs, Headteacher at The Coleshill School, is pleased these endeavours have been rewarded.

He said: “We are elated to hear that our school buildings and resources are to have much-needed improvements. Our school community deserves the very best.

“Currently staff and students make the most of some very old buildings, but we have already seen the benefits new buildings can bring through a new leisure centre in 2018 and a new teaching block, which opened in September 2020.

“Along with the rollout of Learning Futures, which means all Coleshill staff and children will have an iPad to enhance teaching and learning from January 2023, the completion of this building programme will mean we are truly able to deliver education with the best possible resources in the future.”

Craig Tracey, MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth, is happy that Coleshill pupils will benefit from new and improved facilities.

He said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to everyone connected to The Coleshill School.

“I know how hard staff and teachers work to ensure pupils are given the very best opportunities to learn and also how much work went into submitting this bid for funding.

“To see these efforts rewarded is fantastic news. The school has an excellent reputation in the community which will only be enhanced by this. I am looking forward to visiting the school and seeing these exciting works progress.”

Gillian Keegan, Secretary of State for Education, said: “Education is a top priority for this Government. That is why, despite facing challenging economic circumstances, we are investing a record amount in our schools and colleges. Today’s announcement will transform hundreds of schools across the country and ensure they are fit for the future.

“The additional funding, alongside fantastic new facilities, will mean our brilliant teachers can get on with what they do best – and inspire the next generation.”

Main Picture: The Coleshill School Headteacher Ian Smith-Childs with pupils in front of Wilson Block, which was completed in 2020.