Autumn 2015

HEADSUP! ScHoolS NEwslEtter Welcome to the second edition of the TDA Schools Capital newsletter. In this edition we feature a completed project at Roselands Primary school, describe the works at White Rock Primary school, and include all the latest news.

Contact us: 01803 208267 or email schoolscapital@tedcltd.com

ComplEtEd Project: RoSElaNDS PrimAry - PaigNtonCompleted in December 2014, this £0.7million project included building an additional classroom with associated WCs, and extending the I.T suite. This is the second phase of an expansion project at the school which has provided an additional 49 primary school places in Paignton.Mrs Debbie Main, Head teacher, says, ”Our new classroom area is a great addition to the school and ensures that we no longer have to teach any children in temporary classrooms. The build is of a very high standard and the classroom provides a fabulous learning environment for our pupils. The new toilets have proven to be a huge success with the children as the old ones were very cramped and dark. Overall we are delighted with the final outcome of this building”.

Outside of new building

Extention to I.T Suite

New classroom

Projects oN SitE: white RoCk PrimAry - PaigNtonContractor Interserve started this £3.5million project in August 2013 to provide an additional 210 primary places in Paignton. The project involves works in two main areas of the school with construction of two new, two storey extensions, each comprising six new classrooms, plus a small extension to the existing dining area, and provision of additional WC facilities. The project is progressing well and phase 1 has been handed over to the school. The project is expected to be completed by July 2016.

NEw Projects:BrixHam Children’s CENtREThe team is supporting Children Services on an exciting new project to develop a central hub of services in Brixham to support local families. The hub, based at Rae Barn one of Brixham’s Enterprise Units, will be run initially by Children Services in partnership with Action for Children, although discussions and invitations have been extended to other partners to join too. The aim is to provide a ‘one stop shop’ to support families and young people in the local community, it will offer drop in sessions, workshops and stay & play sessions. The centre is expected to be up and running by the end of October.

NEwsmadE Pilot iNsPiRES cAreERs iN toRbAy’s maNUfaCturing SECtorSeptember will see the start of a new TDA initiative bringing Torbay secondary schools and local manufacturing businesses closer together through a pilot of manufacturing focussed activities designed to inspire, motivate and engage participants in STEM in primary and secondary schools.

Local engineering businesses including Centrax, Casting Support Systems, Dart Valley Systems, Eltek, Hymid, Spirent, Venture Photonics and Westaways Sausages are each being partnered with a Torbay secondary school to mentor and guide students from years 7and/or 8 throughout the academic year.

tSpAce webSitE aND ApPTo provide students with an opportunity to explore potential career options, including up to date apprenticeship vacancies, the TDA has developed the tSpace web platform www.torbayspace.co.uk

To accompany the website a tSpace App, designed using feedback from students at local secondary schools, has been created to encourage 14-18 year olds to engage with tSpace. The App is now live and can be downloaded on both Apple and Android devices.

The TDA is looking to recruit a group of student volunteers to become members of Team tSpace and further develop tSpace to better suit the needs of a young audience.

Team tSpace volunteers will assist the TDA in developing future web and App content, through blogging about their experiences and helping decide how to market the resources better to their peers.

For more information on tSpace or MADE, email Debbie Passmore on Deborah.passmore@tedcltd.com or call 01803 208378

PUPil pRojECtioNs aND PlAce PlAnNiNg854 primary places created since 2012Primary pupil numbers in Torbay continue to rise which has led to exciting expansion projects across all 3 towns. These projects have not only increased the capacity at the primary schools but also enhanced existing facilities.

For more details please see the ‘Projects’ section.

Now the TDA, with Children Services, are looking at long term strategic solutions and the establishment of a new primary school for Paignton and for Torquay – this will be the first time a new school has been opened in Torbay since the authority became a unitary in 1998! More details to follow.

The increase in pupils numbers is expected to impact on secondary places from 2018 when projections show demand could exceed capacity; funding has been secured and discussions are already underway on proposals to meet this shortfall. We will provide more details once proposals have been agreed.

trAnSfer of PoSt-16 PUPils at mayfiElD Pupils at Mayfield School special school in Torquay have successfully made the transfer into Fairwinds near Occombe Farm for the start of the new academic year. Head of Post 16 Provision at Mayfield, Rachel Hawthorne said,

“It was amazing for them. They have been given an incredible building to grow as individuals. They love it. Thank you very much from all of them.”

mEet tHE tEAm: davE KiRk – Property & CaPital ProgRamme Co-oRDinAtorDave is responsible for co-ordinating Torbay Council’s Schools Capital Programme, ensuring the projects run smoothly and do not distract schools from the “day job”.

Dave has worked for the Council/TDA for 7 ½ years. Previously he has worked for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food (MAFF) as an Advisory Officer on land drainage and water supplies. In 1985, he began his local government career in Staffordshire, responsible for improvements to school sites and buildings.

Since joining the Council and the TDA, Dave has been involved in some fantastic projects such as the rebuild of Torquay Academy, the amalgamation of Kings Ash Primary school, the major refurbishment at Barton Hill Academy and recent expansions at Cockington and White Rock.