You are at: News Archive > gf tomlinson begins ground-breaking derby school construction project

26/09/2006 - gf tomlinson begins ground-breaking derby school construction project


GF Tomlinson Building Ltd have recently started work on one of the first joint special and mainstream schools in the country.

A ground-breaking ceremony took place at Derby Moor Community Sports College to begin this school construction project, providing a new Ivy House Special School there. The current special school, in Osmaston Road, is in urgent need of extensive renovation, having been created from a former clinic 40 years ago.

Derby City Council applied in 2005 for £7.3m funding for the school to be rebuilt alongside the Littleover school.

The new school will be completed late next year and open to pupils aged two to 19, with complex and physical learning difficulties, from January 2009.

The joint campus will provide pupils from both schools with an opportunity to work with each other.

Pupils from Ivy House will be able to use the mainstream secondary school's sports and leisure facilities.

And pupils from Derby Moor will be able to take part in work experience sessions at the special school.

The new Ivy House will have up-to-date facilities for its 80 pupils, including a hydrotherapy pool.

Derby Moor head teacher Wendy Whelan said: "We are delighted to see the start of work, which will bring students and staff from Ivy House School on to our site as neighbours and partners.

"All members of our school community recognise the value of this co-location.

"Many of our students are aiming at careers in caring and education and are looking forward to the chance to gain experience working with and supporting Ivy House pupils."

Funding approval was given in 2005, but it has taken some time to draw up the final building plans and get planning permission.

At one stage, local residents raised concerns about additional traffic congestion in Moorway Lane, but these have been allayed after it was revealed that taxis will bring children to the special school and drop them off inside the grounds.

Pippa Sillitoe, head teacher at Ivy House School, said that pupils were thrilled to be involved in starting off the school construction.

She said: "It is going to be so exciting to watch as the school is built and brilliant when we move in."

Parent Sandra Taylor, of Sinfin, has a 16- year-old son, Ashley, at Ivy House.

She said: "I think there will be advantages for both schools, particularly the sporting and leisure facilities. It will be a real boost for both lots of pupils to be able to mix."

Roy Collis, Managing Director of GF Tomlinson Building commented, “We are really pleased to be part of this prestigious and rewarding project and to be contributing to the education facilities in the local area.”

Please contact us for a copy of our news stories.