Type=image;ImageID=2009;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Councillor Phil Page viewing the new sign for St Edmund's Catholic Academy;TitleClass=strong;
St Edmund's Catholic Academy is relocating into its new home, on part of the former University of Wolverhampton site on Compton Park, following almost £13 million investment through the city's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Programme and Redrow Homes.
BSF contributed £7.9 million with a further £5 million enabling funding from Wolves and Redrow Homes, resulting in St Edmund's Catholic Academy benefitting from a bespoke, new 21st century educational facility.
The scheme is also part of the wider Compton Park development that includes the building of executive homes and a brand new Wolverhampton Wanderers football academy.
Originally, the proposals were to refurbish the existing very dated school buildings but, through the involvement of the University, Wolves and Redrow Homes, St. Edmund's Catholic Academy can now enjoy the benefit of 'fit for purpose' new facilities.
The new St Edmund's Catholic Academy is a mixture of new build and the refurbishment of a former university building and boasts a host of state of the art facilities that will enhance the education and learning experience of all its pupils and students.
St Edmund's wanted to create a brand new academy that will enable it to fulfil its vision for learning based on 4 learning faculties: Journey in Faith, Communication and Culture, Creativity and Expression and Discovery and Application with special emphasis on study provision for sixth formers.
Among the exciting new features are larger classrooms and science laboratories, a drama studio, music recording rooms, a bigger sports hall and fitness suite, full ICT wireless access, much improved areas for technology and art, an enhanced sixth form area and a new chapel.
Deirdre Finucane, Principal of St Edmund's, said: "St Edmund's is indebted to the local authority, to the University of Wolverhampton, to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Redrow Homes, to Capita Symonds and Carillion and to the Archdiocese of Birmingham.
"We are the beneficiaries of a creative and generous partnership across a wide range of stake holders."
Councillor Phil Page, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Learning, said: "St Edmund's is the latest example of how our BSF programme is delivering for young people in our city.
"This is a stunning transformation of St Edmund's and can only help to enhance the education of the pupils and raise their aspirations for a bright future.
"Pupils, students, staff, governors and the BSF team have put in a lot of hard work to make this happen and they can all be justifiably proud of what has been achieved."
The £270million BSF programme will see a total of 25 schools in Wolverhampton benefit from complete new buildings or major refurbishments. The project is set to be completed by 2015.
- released: Thursday 29 August, 2013