Vision of a new Rednock (From Gazette Series)

Vision of a new Rednock

DRAFT plans for a total rebuild of Rednock School in Dursley were unveiled at a public meeting at the weekend, just days ahead of the news that the school was to be awarded £20.2 million from the government's Building Schools for the Future programme.

Before the funding was announced on Tuesday, the school appointed Hampshire-based Cube Design to draw up outline plans that could take Rednock into the 21st century and meet the needs of the whole community, not just the students.

These initial plans were unveiled to the community by Cube Design's managing director Jane Lock-Smith at an open meeting at the school on Saturday.

She said: "What we felt was that we needed to look at the whole site. Over the last couple of weeks we have been doing a lot of survey work. What we have come up with is a 3D model of the site and it is somewhere we can start to look at new developments.

"The models will develop and over a period of time they will show how future buildings will be developed on the site. We felt that before we went any further we wanted to get everybody's ideas."

The first option would see the school remain on the current site with changes to the layout of buildings. This would include the creation of a covered walkway through the middle of the campus - called The Street, to allow students to move between lessons without getting wet in bad weather. Teaching blocks would be set off from the walkway.

The school's entrance would remain in its current position with the new sixth form centre located nearby. A new dining area would be built with an open courtyard where pupils could gather during break times.

The second possible development option would see the school moved up the site closer to Kingshill Road.

This option would include a new entrance to the school with a drop-off zone for cars and buses off Kingshill Road. The sports pitches would be moved to the rear of the site.

Headteacher David Alexander said: "These plans are part of our vision. What we would like to see is the community contribute to that vision to take the plans forward.

"The plans are about the future of Rednock School so that we have the right buildings and we can have e-learning facilities. This plan shows our commitment to taking the school forward."

David Martin, chairman of governors, said: "The purpose of the meeting is to talk about the thinking that is going forward and what we would need for a brand new school. What this is about is trying to get everybody's ideas. This would very much be a school for the community."

A future meeting on more detailed plans for the school will be held in the New Year, with the final plans due by the end of January.