INVESTMENT of nearly £50k to improve facilities in North-East school has been given the thumbs-up by an MP.
Sedgefield MP Paul Howell was invited into Greenfield Academy, in Newton Aycliffe, to see how the adjoining former Arts Centre has been refurbished and incorporated into the school.
It provides additional office and meeting areas that can also be used by the community through the Academy Trust’s community lettings arm ‘ALP Active’.
Mr Howell said: “I’m here today for two reasons: to understand the development of the school, how it’s evolving and how it’s going to serve the communities of Newton Aycliffe.
“And to engage with the students, to try to give them an understanding of what democracy is about, with a view to how they can be involved and engage with the democratic process.”
He was shown around the new facilities by the school’s Executive Headteacher, James Keating, and Head of School, Amy Aspland, and had the chance to speak to some of the pupils to explain his role as their MP, and to hear about their aspirations for the future.
Mr Howell, who grew up and attended school in Newton Aycliffe, talked to the students about how the range of companies on the Aycliffe Business Park can offer diverse career opportunities.
The academy was built in 1974 and became part of Advance Learning Partnership (ALP) earlier this year. ALP has invested heavily in the school, with an ongoing commitment to its future improvement.
Miss Aspland, said: “The refurbishment of the Arts Centre as part of the school has already provided additional office space, an improved reception area, and arts facilities for the whole school, as well as a much-needed, discrete learning environment area for pupils with special educational needs.
“It’s really important for us to encourage everybody to engage with the school, particularly anybody who has a specific interest, so we’re delighted to have had such an important person visit our school and interact with the children today, and to show them those opportunities available to them.”
Mr Keating added: “We are very ambitious for the school, and proud of how we want to develop this facility as a focal point for this community.”
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