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| | A New Beginning for Hatfield High | A local school is looking forward to an exciting new beginning after surviving a blaze late last year.
Following a devastating fire at Hatfield High School last November, council chiefs are now in talks with partners, Doncaster College, the Learning and Skills Council South Yorkshire (LSCSY), and the DfeS about the building’s future.
Rather than simply repairing the front block, which has sustained around £1m worth of damage, the Council has decided to completely demolish the building and replace it with something more contemporary, which would reflect the school’s commitment to the visual arts and the community.
The local authority is working with the school and its partners to try to secure funding to rebuild the building as part of a larger improvement campaign for the whole school.
It is hoped this rejuvenation will fit in with the Borough’s aspirations to become the first ever ‘Education City’.
Doncaster Council, Doncaster College, the LSCSY and local secondary schools have already launched an exciting feasibility study to examine the possibility of the ground breaking scheme. Becoming an ‘Education City’, would ensure Doncaster students have access to the highest quality secondary, further and higher education (including university status).
Work over the next three months will examine the feasibility of creating a new higher education and post-16 campus for the College, and improving sixth form provision and community learning centres throughout the Borough. All these centres would be networked to create England’s first ‘Education City’.
If successful, the project would be delivered over the next 10 years and is likely to involve investment of up to £100m in post-16 education in Doncaster.
Assuming ‘Education City’ gets the go ahead the Council hope to integrate Hatfield High School’s revival in the process. However, the matter is still being investigated and funding is yet to be secured.
Martin Winter, The Mayor of Doncaster, said: "We have high hopes for both Hatfield High School and Education City. The decision to demolish the burnt out building at Hatfield was crucial in demonstrating our commitment to excellence. Second best will not do and we are not prepared to simply patch up the old shell.
"Education is a top priority for the Council, and we will do all we can to drive projects such as ‘Education City’ forward. The people of Doncaster deserve the best possible educational opportunities, and the exciting new development at Hatfield is an important step in helping us to take forward our education agenda."
Chris Coady, Head Teacher at Hatfield High School, said: "We are thrilled with the decision to provide the school with a new and updated building.
"The children here have worked very hard since the fire and deserve to be rewarded with modern facilities fit to educate the citizens of tomorrow."
For more information please contact Andy Martin, Doncaster Council’s Education Officer for Planning And Development, on 01302 840961.
7 June 2002 |
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