31/03/2014

Pioneering Free School Officially Opens

Photograph courtesy of the LJFS

The UK's first Jewish Secondary Free School has been officially opened by the first cohort of students. The ceremony, led by Head Teacher Jeremy Dunsford marks the realisation of a vision many years in the making. The Free School is an invaluable resource to the Leeds Jewish community allowing Secondary education to be accessed in the region. The teaching facilities, which came into use in September 2013, have exceeded the schools expectations, providing first class shared learning environments with the primary school. The Zone, a linked community facility, provides a variety of extended provision to the school curriculum further enhancing the educational offer.

The design solution creates a series of linked open plan learning spaces, mixed with specialist teaching areas including food technology, material technology, science and performing arts. The scheme integrates the secondary school within the refurbished existing primary school building, with the addition of a teaching block extension and a new entrance block.

Watson Batty Architects were appointed by Wates Construction for the £3.6m ground breaking project which was a pathfinder for small secondary free schools using the Yorbuild contractors framework. Successful collaboration with Wates Construction over the last 18 months resulted in a creative design solution being delivered on time and budget.

We wish the school and all future cohorts every success in their new facility.

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