04/02/10 - Building work starts at Thorns Community Learning Village

Under the new proposals, Thorns Community College and Thorns Primary in Quarry Bank, Brierley Hill, will be welcoming Old Park to join their sites. A brand new and environmentally friendly school will be built for Old Park, creating a well-equipped learning village for all. It will open up opportunities and create activities for children and young people from all three schools, enabling them to interact with each other.

The proposed project will provide; new opportunities to work together and share professional expertise, state of the art equipment and resources, new multi-use games area, new hydrotherapy pool, enhanced landscape areas, improved access and parking. The new facilities, as well as the existing drama studio/theatre and sports hall/gymnasium at Thorns Community College, will be shared across the three sites. Each school will retain its unique identity, while at the same time being part of a high achieving learning village, which will set a standard for educational attainment.

Councillor Liz Walker, cabinet member for children’s services said:“I’m delighted work is underway on this exciting new school for Old Park. This scheme is about creating a modern learning environment with state-of-the-art resources for children of all ages and abilities to share. The creation of this learning village will open up opportunities for pupils from all three schools to interact and learn from each other, giving them every opportunity to reach their full potential.”

Old Park is an all age (3 to 19 years) school for children and young people with severe and profound learning difficulties. It provides a safe and caring environment where pupils make good progress, are happy and well behaved.

Kevin Zamur, Contracts Manger at Thomas Vale Construction, Commented:“Thomas Vale is proud to be a part of this new project which is going to bring people of different abilities to one place of learning. We also look forward to working closely with our partners Dudley Council and will deliver as always to the best standard.”