Barnwood Park celebrates completion of £3.5 million project

The official opening ceremony of the brand new sports hall at Barnwood Park Arts College took place on Tuesday.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from the county council, the contractor EG Carter, teachers, governors, and students. The Head Girls cut the ribbon to mark the occasion and students did a range of sporting activities in the hall to demonstrate the new facilities while guests were taken on a tour.

The £3.5 million investment is part of the county council’s pledge to invest £100 million into schools. The school is expanding and taking an extra 30 pupils per year group.

E G Carter & Co Ltd were the main contractors for the project and worked on further improvements to the school including the refurbishment of the old hall to create drama and dance studios, remodelling of the old drama space into a new teaching area, and remodelling of design technology and science to provide additional facilities.

Cllr Patrick Molyneux, the cabinet member responsible for education, said: “Our priority is that the county’s children have the best education and we are improving the facilities at a number of schools across Gloucestershire. Not only has this project improved the facilities for existing students, it has also created the space needed for the school to increase their numbers as demand grows.”

Sarah Tufnell, Headteacher of Barnwood Park, said: “We are so pleased with what has been achieved by this building programme. The £3.5 million invested by Gloucestershire County Council has transformed the facilities in our school, especially the sports, dance and drama provision, and the students are thrilled.”

George Hall, Contracts Supervisor at E G Carter & Co Ltd said "It was a pleasure to be involved in the refurbishment and extension at Barnwood School. The effort put in by the design team, and subsequent hard work from our site team and subcontractors ensured the project was on time and to budget. We hope the students and teachers enjoy their new facilities."

The expansion work started in July 2018 and was completed on time and within budget in September 2019.