Back to school - at Hull's new £60m buildings

HUNDREDS of beaming pupils have returned to school in multi-million pound new and refurbished buildings.

Six more of Hull's new schools have opened at a total cost of about £60 million.

They include Christopher Pickering Primary School and Ganton Special School, Malet Lambert School, Endike Primary School, The Schoolgirl Mums' Unit and Thomas Ferens Academy.

At Christopher Pickering Primary School, youngsters from the former Tilbury and Bethune primary schools had the chance to go to lessons in their new school in Burnham Road, west Hull, for the first time.

The school is also used by primary pupils from Ganton Special School.

Sue McGlinchey, head at Christopher Pickering Primary school, said: "Following years of planning and preparation we have finally moved into our fabulous new building.

"We can hardly believe we are here.

"We are delighted with the light, bright and spacious environment which will give all of our pupils the best possible opportunities to be the best they can be.

"While this is the end of one journey, it is the beginning of another as we mark our passage with Christopher Pickering Primary School and the primary department of Ganton Special School.

"We are beginning to develop shared and joint working to enable every child in our building to benefit from personalised and specialised support in their personal, social and academic development."

Sophie Fletcher, 9, a pupil at Christopher Pickering, said the children love it. She said: "Our new school is really great.

"There are big steps where we can sit and have our packed lunch. "We've got loads of room on the playground but my favourite part is the learning decks."

Harrison Goforth, 4, said: "I love my new school. My favourite part is the outside classroom and the playground."

Ian Simpson, head at Ganton School, said: "The interesting thing about Ganton being here is it's like the writing on a stick of rock – it runs through the building.

"We have got special facilities within the compass, which is what we call the building, and the school rooms are next door to the mainstream school.

"We have a medical room, soft play, sensory room, PE and drama spaces alongside the Christopher Pickering pupils."

At Thomas Ferens Academy, Years 7 and 11 have been inside the building with Years 8, 9 and 10 in today.

The full school will return tomorrow at 8.35am. Head teacher Juliet Strang said: "It has gone really well. The pupils are positive and they really like the building.

"What I have been so impressed by is how they all turned up in their uniform, perfectly dressed with the right shoes and their ties done up nice.

"It was nice to see some of the boys adjusting each other's ties.

"It is great that they are so responsible."

Ms Strang said pupils were enjoying the space in the new Hall Road school. "It's quite an open building," she said. "It gives a sense of atmosphere.

"The 'One World' space right at the heart of the school is open-plan with a transparent roof and lots of natural light.

"We also have a number of open- plan classrooms so we can be flexible about how we teach.

"We can do some team teaching and that is very exciting.

"It means teachers are sharing their skills and learning from each other, raising standards and improving teaching and learning.

"We have fantastic grounds and our sports facilities are fantastic."

Miguel Bastos, 11, a pupil at the school said: "It is great. When I walked in, I was really happy. I thought 'wow, this building is big'.

"I like the colours. The school is really colourful."

Caitlin Steeley, 11, said: "It is amazing Everything is pretty big.

"All my friends think it's good and are happy they put it as their first choice.

"We are looking forward to lessons."

Pupils at Malet Lambert School were also impressed with the newly refurbished school.

Shauna Natson, 15, said: "The colours around the school make it easy to find your way around. The classrooms are much bigger.

"We also have swipe cards instead of cash to pay for our lunches."

Georgie Worville, also 15, said: "The new school means a new opportunity for all the students and staff. I like the colours."

The 1930s building has had a significant refurbishment, bringing the old together with the new.

Pupils have new facilities including a glazed roof in the centre of the school allowing pupils to take advantage of the space even in bad weather.

Luke Moxon, 15, said: "There are lots of new resources for learning.

"I really like the new school, there is more space. I think having the glazed roof is a great idea – it means we stay warm and dry when the weather is bad."

Patrick Booth, 15, said: "I really like the new school, I think it will help me get the grades I need.

"I'm excited about all the new facilities we will be able to use."

Two further schools will open in January, including Kingswood College of Arts in Wawne Road, Bransholme, and Andrew Marvell in Barham Road, east Hull.