Historic Darwen building could be brought back into use

12:00pm Saturday 2nd March 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Dan Clough, Reporter

AN historic town centre building could finally be brought back into use as plans for a new studio school moved a step closer.

The former Model Lodging House - opened in 1897 - in Police Street, Darwen, could be transformed into a school and be open by September next year.

It comes after the Department for Education gave the green light to Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio.

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy (DACA) benefactor Rod Aldridge, of the Aldridge Foundation, has funded the school, which will be put before Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning department in the coming months.

The studio school is planned to open this September, initially within the existing DACA buildings, before moving to Police Street when work is completed.

For students aged between 14 and 19-years-old, the studio school will offer mainstream qualifications, delivered through real commercial business-based projects, and linked to the world of work.

In addition to GCSEs, students will undertake specialised learning in the areas of business and creative digital technology, with links to leading businesses in Darwen and beyond.

DACA director of finance and business development Ruth Bradbury has been appointed as principal designate.

She said: “We are consulting with the local community, including parents, young people and local businesses, and finding that our education offer is really resonating.

“The aim of our school’s curriculum is to develop young people who can thrive as individuals and make a difference to their communities.

“The curriculum will also develop the employability and life skills, which will improve their future opportunities.”

“We were delighted to have the go-ahead for the new building.

“It is a historic site and for it to be the home for our new local hub for creative learning is very fitting and really exciting.”

For more information, visit www.daestudio.biz, email admissions@daestudio.biz , call 01254 819567.

Information days will take place on Tuesday, March 19, at DACA, from 6pm to 8pm, and on Sunday, March 24, at Blackburn Youth Zone, from 5.30pm to 8pm.

Comments (7)

2:02pm Sat 2 Mar 13

happycyclist says...

Good news. Though it would have been more fitting in the old technical school.
Good news. Though it would have been more fitting in the old technical school. happycyclist

2:25pm Sat 2 Mar 13

louderfasterlonger says...

Excellent that this building is being brought back into use. I hope they can run to a little landscaping and bring the old car park on the former shooting range back into use to tidy the area up a little.
Excellent that this building is being brought back into use. I hope they can run to a little landscaping and bring the old car park on the former shooting range back into use to tidy the area up a little. louderfasterlonger

4:33pm Sat 2 Mar 13

HILLBILLYBOB says...

Althought I applaud the refurbishment of an unsightly building, I dont understand why Darwen needs another school to add to the 2 multi-milkion pound super schools we aleady have.
In this current climate with all the goverment budget cuts for all the front line services, the D of E find it necessary to plough millions of pounds in an earea that is adequately provided now.
Give the budget to the nurses and police services!!!
Althought I applaud the refurbishment of an unsightly building, I dont understand why Darwen needs another school to add to the 2 multi-milkion pound super schools we aleady have. In this current climate with all the goverment budget cuts for all the front line services, the D of E find it necessary to plough millions of pounds in an earea that is adequately provided now. Give the budget to the nurses and police services!!! HILLBILLYBOB

6:20pm Sat 2 Mar 13

MerlinTheVoiceofReason2 says...

HILLBILLYBOB wrote:
Althought I applaud the refurbishment of an unsightly building, I dont understand why Darwen needs another school to add to the 2 multi-milkion pound super schools we aleady have.
In this current climate with all the goverment budget cuts for all the front line services, the D of E find it necessary to plough millions of pounds in an earea that is adequately provided now.
Give the budget to the nurses and police services!!!
It amazes me how many people comment and seemingly haven't read the report. "Darwen Aldridge Community Academy (DACA) benefactor Rod Aldridge, of the Aldridge Foundation, has funded the school, which will be put before Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning department in the coming months." Mr Aldridge is not a Government minister spending our money, he's spending his own.
[quote][p][bold]HILLBILLYBOB[/bold] wrote: Althought I applaud the refurbishment of an unsightly building, I dont understand why Darwen needs another school to add to the 2 multi-milkion pound super schools we aleady have. In this current climate with all the goverment budget cuts for all the front line services, the D of E find it necessary to plough millions of pounds in an earea that is adequately provided now. Give the budget to the nurses and police services!!![/p][/quote]It amazes me how many people comment and seemingly haven't read the report. "Darwen Aldridge Community Academy (DACA) benefactor Rod Aldridge, of the Aldridge Foundation, has funded the school, which will be put before Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning department in the coming months." Mr Aldridge is not a Government minister spending our money, he's spending his own. MerlinTheVoiceofReason2

9:44am Sun 3 Mar 13

happycyclist says...

MerlinTheVoiceofReas
on2 wrote:
HILLBILLYBOB wrote:
Althought I applaud the refurbishment of an unsightly building, I dont understand why Darwen needs another school to add to the 2 multi-milkion pound super schools we aleady have.
In this current climate with all the goverment budget cuts for all the front line services, the D of E find it necessary to plough millions of pounds in an earea that is adequately provided now.
Give the budget to the nurses and police services!!!
It amazes me how many people comment and seemingly haven't read the report. "Darwen Aldridge Community Academy (DACA) benefactor Rod Aldridge, of the Aldridge Foundation, has funded the school, which will be put before Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning department in the coming months." Mr Aldridge is not a Government minister spending our money, he's spending his own.
I dunno Merlin, it's debatable whether he's spending his own money or ours. Isn't this the same Rod Aldridge who donated to the Labour Party and received big fat government contracts for his Capita business?
[quote][p][bold]MerlinTheVoiceofReas on2[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]HILLBILLYBOB[/bold] wrote: Althought I applaud the refurbishment of an unsightly building, I dont understand why Darwen needs another school to add to the 2 multi-milkion pound super schools we aleady have. In this current climate with all the goverment budget cuts for all the front line services, the D of E find it necessary to plough millions of pounds in an earea that is adequately provided now. Give the budget to the nurses and police services!!![/p][/quote]It amazes me how many people comment and seemingly haven't read the report. "Darwen Aldridge Community Academy (DACA) benefactor Rod Aldridge, of the Aldridge Foundation, has funded the school, which will be put before Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning department in the coming months." Mr Aldridge is not a Government minister spending our money, he's spending his own.[/p][/quote]I dunno Merlin, it's debatable whether he's spending his own money or ours. Isn't this the same Rod Aldridge who donated to the Labour Party and received big fat government contracts for his Capita business? happycyclist

10:57am Sun 3 Mar 13

HILLBILLYBOB says...

The money HAS come from the goverment.....DACA bidded along with other schools and trusts to run the Studio School.
So this is why I say what is wrong with the facilities that DACA already have!!!!
The money HAS come from the goverment.....DACA bidded along with other schools and trusts to run the Studio School. So this is why I say what is wrong with the facilities that DACA already have!!!! HILLBILLYBOB

10:12pm Sun 3 Mar 13

BlueSkies says...

Car Parking!

Car Parking!

Car Parking!
Car Parking! Car Parking! Car Parking! BlueSkies

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