Press Release
From the Office of the Mayor of Tower Hamlets
For immediate release
Mayor Lutfur Rahman continues Building Schools for the Future
New look Bow School takes shape with ‘topping out’ ceremony
With just over a year until its doors open, Bow School’s new site is taking shape, with construction works running to schedule.
Benefiting from a complete new build that will relocate the school from its current site in Paton Close, BowSchool is the final part of the £320 million Building Schools for the Future programme, which has been transforming local secondary schools since 2009.
Pupils got to see the early stages of their new surroundings at an official ‘topping out’ ceremony, organised to mark the completion of the new structure, an important milestone for the project.
Mayor Lutfur Rahman was joined by students, school governors, teaching staff, Bow school’s head teacher, and council officers at the ceremony on 15 July.
Following a tour of the new site, which showcased progress on the main building, dining pavilion and first floor atria, concrete was poured on the landing of the external staircase, to mark the completion of one of the final elements of the construction works.
The project will expand Bow School to provide an additional four forms per year – helping to address the borough’s increasing need for school places from September 2014. The school will also benefit from a new sixth form.
Mayor Lutfur Rahman attending the ‘topping out’ ceremony said:
“As a former pupil of Bow School, – a secondary that is now in the country’s top 20 per cent of schools for adding value to students’ achievements at GCSE – today is an auspicious occasion and a key milestone for this school. I am committed to providing our pupils with the best learning facilities and opportunities available and the BSF programme has already benefited thousands of youngsters across the borough.”
Cllr Oliur Rahman, cabinet member for children’s, schools and families added:
“With BowSchool’s recent achievements in attainment, giving the pupils a new learning environment can only add to what the teaching staff are already doing to boost their pupils’ potential.”
The new site will benefit from a range of first-class facilities – which will be available for community use outside school hours – including a large sports hall, drama studios and roof top sports facilities, and a modern design to inspire learning and maximise natural light.
Cath Smith, head teacher at Bow School, said: “We’re thrilled that Bow was chosen for this rebuild and expansion. The use of the space will be so stimulating for the pupils. We’d like to thank everyone who’s been involved.”
Bouygues UK are managing the construction of the new school and have already delivered a range of the borough’s BSF projects which involve significant refurbishment or complete school rebuilds.
Arnaud Bekaert, Bouygues UK, said: “This event marks a significant milestone for Tower Hamlets Council and Bouygues, who have worked together on this scheme since 2009.
“BowSchool is the final secondary school to be transformed in Tower Hamlets though the Building Schools for the Future programme, which is expected to have benefited 11,000 pupils by the time it’s completed in 2015. Together with Mayor Lutfur Rahman and Tower Hamlets Council, we have worked in partnership to deliver these new and improved schools, on time and within budget.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
1. For more information on BSF projects visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk and for information about applying to Bow School contact the council’s pupil admissions team on 020 7364 5006
2. The new school site is 14,000 square metres and will consist of three main buildings connected by a canopied walkway. It will also feature three fully netted roof top sports areas – muga pitches, a stepped amphitheatre and library with views overlooking the River Lee.
3. Bow School has just been named as one of two Tower Hamlets schools to be included in the top 20 per cent nationally for adding value to their students’ achievement at GCSE. Every school in the country was ranked according to how much value they have added to the scores their students were expected to achieve in their GCSE results in 2012.
For information about this press release contact Numan Hussain, Political Advisor to the Mayor, on 07508 352 023 or email numan.hussain@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Mayor Lutfur Rahman 