£1m drive to create state-of-the-art home for pupils

NEWTON Abbot College is being made fit for the 21st century.

More than £1million has been spent on redeveloping the college to create a modern and fresh environment in the last few months.

Its modern languages block has undergone a overhaul, some of the science blocks have been given a make-over, astro-turf has been laid on sports areas and a new arts centre is being built.

Principal Gareth Davies said the improvements will make the campus a top-quality, 21st century learning environment.

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Construction work started on the modern languages block in May and took four months to complete.

A successful funding bid from the Department of Education meant the £463,000 project could go ahead.

A decaying stable block next to Rose Hill House, in the school grounds, is in the process of being converted into a light and airy arts centre.

The transformation will cost around £550,000 and is set to be complete by January.

TFQ Architects, based in Exeter, devised the designs for the modern languages block and the arts centre.

"We worked hard with the Teignbridge conservation officer and our architects to create a new art centre incorporating the old stables," said Ben Brooks, business manager at the college.

"This has transformed the crumbling structure into a beautiful new art facility for our students which blends the old and the new structures.

"The art centre is linked by a bridge to the new modern languages building.

" The college has been saving for this project for a while and supplemented these funds with capital funding from the Department for Education."

It houses new classrooms and a gallery space for artwork as well as new IT facilities and student toilets.

"This will mean all the creative arts subjects are near each other and we can work together on projects more frequently," said Julia Payne, team leader of art at the college.

Earlier this year £250,000 was also spent on refurbishing two science laboratories.

"The equipment in the rooms has also been upgraded to include the latest standards with additional IT and science equipment," said Mr Brooks.

Students are also benefiting from two games areas being covered in astro turf at the cost of £80,000. The project has been funded by the school.

Principal Mr Davies said: "Many people will have seen our new modern languages block visible from the Exeter Road, but may not have seen all our other improvements, including new science laboratories, all-weather sports pitches and newly-landscaped social areas.

"We await the forthcoming official opening of our stunning new art suite of rooms with great excitement."