Rugby residents get sneak peek inside new Houlton School
Houlton’s master developer, Urban&Civic, has released exclusive footage giving Rugby residents a sneak peek into the transformation of Rugby Radio Station’s Grade II-listed building into the town’s newest secondary school.
The video reveals the latest progress on Houlton School delivered by main contractor Morgan Sindall Construction, which is forging ahead to convert the former global radio transmission building into a six-form entry school opening in September 2021.
Work is underway on the insertion a new 5-storey structure into the shell of the radio station Transmission Hall, where the pioneering tuning coil used to be located, which will become the future school’s art space, drama studio, dance studio, music, sixth form social space
Six new steel frames have been erected at the north end of the Power Hall, which will become an assembly hall and canteen, while retaining its stunning original features. These structures will support the dining hall mezzanine and plant room levels over the school kitchen once complete.
Foundations have been laid and a steel frame for the STEM block is now in place and construction of the Sport England compliant sports hall is well under way, with the bulk earthworks complete, car parks and MUGA formed, and the new blocks’ footings underway.
Over 378,000 bricks and 621 tonnes of steel will be used for the project.
Throughout the building, many of its stunning original features are being carefully restored, including the Power Hall Gallery’s original porthole windows, which have been reopened to reveal the striking character of the entrance courtyard at what will be the heart of the school.
Located in the heart of the new Rugby community, Houlton School will welcome its first intake of Year 7 pupils in September 2021 and will eventually provide over 1,200 school places with six classes per year, plus a sixth form.
The school is a joint venture between Houlton’s master developer Urban&Civic, Aviva Investors, Warwickshire County Council (WCC) and the Department for Education (DfE), and will be run by the Transforming Lives Educational Trust (TLET); the organisation already delivering Outstanding OFSTED-rated education at Rugby’s Ashlawn School.
To view the latest video visit www.facebook.com/HoultonRugby
