Tuesday 22nd January 2008
(ref:
22/2008)
A Wigan primary school has been hailed as a model for the rest of Britain by Children, Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls MP.
Mr Balls was commenting after officially opening Westfield Community School in Pemberton on Monday (21 January).
The Secretary of State said:
“This is the kind of innovative, 21st century school we want to see all round the country. This is as close a model as I’ve seen to our vision for what schools should be like in the future.”
Mr Balls spoke out after touring the £5.8 million school in Montrose Avenue, which was formed from the amalgamation of Scot Lane and Pemberton primary schools.
He saw several revolutionary features, including a scheme to recycle rainwater for use in toilets, solar roof panels, and an internet café for use by parents and children alike.
He visited the Westfield ‘Airport’, where the children learn numeracy and communication skills through role play at a pretend airport, watched an archery session and helped the children bake some healthy cereal bars.
Praising the staff and children he said:
“You are so much more ambitious than you have to be. The range of services and support for parents is first class.
“This is a school which proves that it’s not really about the buildings, but the people inside them. But having such a beautiful building must help as well!”
Chair of governors at Westfield, Maggie Coghlin, said:
“We were proud to show the secretary of state what a wonderful school we’ve got here. I think he was impressed by the sharing and partnership that has gone into creating Westfield.
“We’d like to thank the government and the council for their vision in making us the borough’s first extended school, with a wide range of facilities for the whole community.”
Wigan Council’s Cabinet Champion for Children and Young People’s Services, Cllr Brian Wilson, said:
“Westfield is one of our flagship extended schools which are central to delivering the government’s recently announced Children’s Plan. What the government is anxious to promote is already happening here in Wigan.”
