New classrooms and sports pitches for children – and the whole community

Audley Infant and Junior Schools are looking forward to big changes to their schools which are set to benefit not just pupils but residents across the borough.

There will be a total of £650,000 investment in the two schools on the campus on Queen’s Park Road, Blackburn.

There are a number of projects phased over two years aim to improve the Junior School and Infant School facilities both internally and externally.

Over summer and autumn term 2015 works were finished at the Junior School to improve the classroom environments. During the same period works were undertaken to the Infant school in preparation for the expansion of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision.

The junior school received over £200,000 of investment in the classrooms, allowing the remodelling of smaller classrooms, the decoration of classrooms and corridors plus replacement of old furniture in 50% of the teaching space. The remaining classrooms will receive similar treatment next summer. Works on the infant wing are ongoing and will continue into summer 2016.

This will provide modern spaces including changing rooms and withdrawal rooms for vulnerable pupils with special educational needs.

Outside areas have also been improved to address health and safety concerns in respect of the former all weather pitch and adjacent access route to the school. Once fully completed, it will provide an excellent facility for the school.

The Schools have decided to install a ‘’porous tarmac surface’’ as this will enable full curriculum delivery for a range of sporting activities.  It will also enable both schools to achieve maximum usage and represents best value for money.

Both Governing Bodies felt it necessary to prioritise use of the facility by pupils of both schools, followed by community use. The pitch will still be available for community use along with the SPACE Centre.

These changes will work alongside the facilities at Blackburn Central High School and Audley Leisure Centre, and outside training facilities will be open to the wider community of Blackburn with Darwen.

Councillor Dave Harling, Executive Member for Education and Schools, said:

These facilities are great news for the schools and the community. The improvements to the inside of the schools will give staff and pupils more modern spaces, which will be a great addition to the educational experience at the schools.

The all-weather pitch is also a great boost for the schools. The children will be able to do a wide range of sports and games all year in all seasons.”