New buildings for Queen Elizabeth High School and Hexham Middle School
Staff and pupils at Queen Elizabeth High School and Hexham Middle School were delighted to move into their brand new, purpose-built facilities this week, after a short delay to the start of term. Feeding off their iconic, grade two listed Hydro building, which has been fully refurbished, are the new middle school and high school buildings, forming a cloistered courtyard at the heart of the site, using reclaimed materials from the high school’s original walled garden.
Each school retains its distinct identity, with separate social spaces, dining spaces, libraries and assembly halls. Teaching spaces are largely separate, however Year 7 and 8 pupils will share use of the high school’s specialist practical facilities in art, science and technology. In addition to a purpose built sports centre, with 6-court and 2-court halls and a fitness suite, external sports facilities include three multi-use games areas, a 3G all-weather football and rugby pitch, and an all-weather hockey pitch. Later this year, demolition of the high school’s former lower school buildings will enable completion of the project with a grass playing field and coach park.
Graeme Atkins, Executive Headteacher at Hadrian Learning Trust, which oversees the two schools, commented: “We are very pleased to have finally moved into our fantastic new facilities. While each school will retain its distinct sense of identity, there will be a very close working relationship between the two in the interests of pupils. Senior leaders, curriculum leaders and support staff will operate across both schools, with teachers working and planning together and increasingly able to be deployed at either school. In this way our young people will benefit from joined-up curriculum planning throughout the key stages and a common approach to teaching and learning.”
