News
Head teacher adds Final Bolt to school
A head teacher has added the final bolt to the skeleton structure of his new school . Paul Gillis , head of Whitworth Park School in Spennymoor , was taken up a height in a cherry-picker before screwing the last bolt into the £ 11m extension . The development , which is expected to be ready in September 2013 , will see Tudhoe Grange School merge with Spennymoor School to create Whitworth Park School and Sixth Form College , in County Durham . The plan will see part of the existing 1950s-built school demolished and a three-storey sixth form block and reception area built , with the combined number of pupils rising to 1,246 . We have completed the 170-tonne steel structure on behalf of main contractor Carillion . Mr Gillis said : “ I ’ m thrilled to be adding the final bolt to this hugely exciting development . “ The extension will mean an enormous amount to the school and the community of Spennymoor . It ’ ll bring facilities that will be second-tonone which will enable us to raise aspirations and ambitions throughout the school .” Last month , 30 pupils from Whitworth School were given a behind-thescenes tour of Finley Structures to see how their new school is being made . They also signed a plate of steel , which has been welded into the new structure . Director Gary Finley , whose daughter attends the school , said : “ This
● Whitworth Park School head teacher Paul Gillis adds the final bolt
development meant a little bit more than most of our contracts , but it ’ s always a pleasure to work with schools and to show children around so they can see how we go about building their new facility .” “ It ’ s always nice to involve the young people wherever we can and it ’ s rewarding to see them come in and learn about our operations .” Carillion ’ s community liaison manager Jane Braybrook added : “ It ’ s important for the school and the pupils to have ownership of the new school so we ’ ve been working hard to involve them as much as we possibly can . “ I ’ m sure the children and youngsters will be delighted with the extension when it ’ s fully completed next year .” Carillion plc is one of the UK ' s leading support services and construction companies and has constructed dozens of schools throughout the North-East in recent years through the Building Schools for the Future ( BSF ) programme .
● Finleys director Gary Finley takes Whitworth Park School pupils for a tour , while students sign a plate of steel ( right )
Finley Structures Ltd Quarterly Newsletter Issue 5 , Winter 2012