Joy for staff and pupils as Darwen Vale opens its doors

12:52pm Friday 7th September 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Dan Clough, Reporter

TEST DRIVE Front, from left, Shaun Mankowski and Ben Duffield, both 12, and their fellow pupils check out one of the new IT areas of at the revamped Darwen Vale TEST DRIVE Front, from left, Shaun Mankowski and Ben Duffield, both 12, and their fellow pupils check out one of the new IT areas of at the revamped Darwen Vale

CHILDREN were wowed by their surroundings on the first day at the new-look Darwen Vale High School.

Yesterday saw the fruits of six years’ hard work as the £24million Building Schools for the Future-funded new school was opened.

All year groups returned to school for the first day of the new era with pupils speaking of their excitement.

The school had been relocated to the former Darwen Moorland High School site at Holden Fold for two years.

Headteacher Fiona Jack was delighted that the historic first day had finally arrived.

She said: “I have been waiting for this since I started as headteacher in January.

“I would like to thank Balfour Beatty. Their support has been fantastic and they have worked in partnership with us superbly.

“Over the past three days the staff have worked until late to get everything ready for the students and I would like to thank them for that.

“We are in the business of learning and now we really can get down to business.”

Excited children packed into the school from 8am to get a first glimpse of their new school.

Year 10 pupil Chris Livesey, 14, said: “It is a lot better than Holden Fold.

“I am proud to be involved in such a historic day for the school.”

Elliot Welsh, 13, of Year Nine, said: “It is a really smart place and I have been very excited about coming back.”

Year Eight pupil Lisobelle Hanson-Mahon, 12, said: “The school looks amazing.

“I love all the art stuff and all the new facilities.

“I like the lockers as well. My bag won’t be as heavy now.”

Thirteen-year-old Libby Parkinson, of Year Nine, said: “My first impressions are really good and I am just looking forward to getting into it now.

“I like all the different shapes in the building.”

The school will host two community open days for anyone wishing to take a look around, on Saturdays September 22 and 29, from 9am to noon.

Comments (7)

2:58pm Fri 7 Sep 12

Progressive Penguin says...

Driving past it certainly looks the part. The designers have done a really good job of maintaining the old facade and combining it with a smart modern look. I'm looking forward to being able to have a look around
Driving past it certainly looks the part. The designers have done a really good job of maintaining the old facade and combining it with a smart modern look. I'm looking forward to being able to have a look around Progressive Penguin

8:35pm Fri 7 Sep 12

happycyclist says...

Why is there a big bike shed? Vale School sits on arguably the busiest and most dangerous junction in Darwen. Is the school really encouraging kids to cycle to school?
Why is there a big bike shed? Vale School sits on arguably the busiest and most dangerous junction in Darwen. Is the school really encouraging kids to cycle to school? happycyclist

11:53pm Fri 7 Sep 12

Marsdogs says...

I wonder how appalling the PFI contract will prove to the public purse over the next few years.
I wonder how appalling the PFI contract will prove to the public purse over the next few years. Marsdogs

10:07pm Sat 8 Sep 12

fireonthemountain says...

Well -

To add to the post from happycyclist .

I would suggest that Vale school sits between the two busiest and most dangerous junctions in Darwen .

Specifically -

I - The A666 and the M65 Link Road .

2 -The A666 / Bog Height Road / Sandy Lane .

Now - I have no solutions to offer .

But I am worried about -

a - The A666 and Link Road - turn right from the Link Road and two lanes immediately goes to one , half way round a corner just as you meet a school .

b - Then you meet an horrendous junction (Bog Height - Sandy Lane) , just after you have gone under the M65 "tunnel" . Hang on while my eyes adjust .

c - Let's throw something into the pot .

- Hundreds of school kids .
- A food supplier just over the road .
- School buses .
- Teachers driving out of the school .

Not optimistic about this .

At all .
Well - To add to the post from happycyclist . I would suggest that Vale school sits between the two busiest and most dangerous junctions in Darwen . Specifically - I - The A666 and the M65 Link Road . 2 -The A666 / Bog Height Road / Sandy Lane . Now - I have no solutions to offer . But I am worried about - a - The A666 and Link Road - turn right from the Link Road and two lanes immediately goes to one , half way round a corner just as you meet a school . b - Then you meet an horrendous junction (Bog Height - Sandy Lane) , just after you have gone under the M65 "tunnel" . Hang on while my eyes adjust . c - Let's throw something into the pot . - Hundreds of school kids . - A food supplier just over the road . - School buses . - Teachers driving out of the school . Not optimistic about this . At all . fireonthemountain

5:46pm Mon 10 Sep 12

egroeg says...

happycyclist wrote:
Why is there a big bike shed? Vale School sits on arguably the busiest and most dangerous junction in Darwen. Is the school really encouraging kids to cycle to school?
well maybe if the kids did cycle to school maybe there would not be as much traffic on the roads. i for one would defo encourage them to cycle to school makes sense.
[quote][p][bold]happycyclist[/bold] wrote: Why is there a big bike shed? Vale School sits on arguably the busiest and most dangerous junction in Darwen. Is the school really encouraging kids to cycle to school?[/p][/quote]well maybe if the kids did cycle to school maybe there would not be as much traffic on the roads. i for one would defo encourage them to cycle to school makes sense. egroeg

3:42pm Thu 13 Sep 12

jgaul says...

give it a few weeks and there will be graffiti on the toilet doors and no locks on them neither!!
give it a few weeks and there will be graffiti on the toilet doors and no locks on them neither!! jgaul

9:01pm Sat 15 Sep 12

egroeg says...

jgaul wrote:
give it a few weeks and there will be graffiti on the toilet doors and no locks on them neither!!
what makes you say that jonny.
[quote][p][bold]jgaul[/bold] wrote: give it a few weeks and there will be graffiti on the toilet doors and no locks on them neither!![/p][/quote]what makes you say that jonny. egroeg

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