Junior pupils take an exciting tour of the North End Development

A GROUP of Year 6 pupils were given a special tour of the North End Development now that the steel framework has been completed.

Ten pupils from Dame Allan’s Junior School visited the Senior School site during careers week to be shown around the £8m development by Gateshead-based contractors Tolent, and learn about its construction.

The children, who will be among the first to benefit from the state-of-the-art facilities when they transfer to the Senior School in September to start Year 7, were given a full site induction and tour with site manager Glyn Pallister.

He said: “Now the steel structure is complete, it is a great time for the children to see the skeleton of the building and learn about how it is being constructed.

“We are currently working on roof steels and drainage, then over the coming weeks we will be getting the building envelope up and the project will look different again.”

The North End Development will see the creation of a large new art department with modern art classrooms around a light and airy exhibition space. A total of 16 new classrooms are being built, including three high-tech science laboratories to ensure the best facilities for those interested in STEM, and a suite of rooms for Modern Foreign Languages.

Dressed in high-vis jackets, hard hats and gloves, the pupils had a walk around the perimeter of the construction site. Luca said: “I’m most excited about the new science labs because I think they will be really exciting to use.”

They learned all about the construction of the building, potential hazards onsite, the importance of health and safety, and about the team of contractors working on the largescale development.

Junior School headteacher Geoff Laidler, who accompanied the pupils on the tour, said: “It’s been really exciting for the children to see first-hand how the Senior School facilities are transforming, and to learn how this fantastic new building is being constructed.

“These pupils are going to benefit from this incredible space in the years ahead, so getting them involved in its creation is really special, and particularly timely during careers week.”

The development will also create a new sixth form area within design and technology, and multiple offices. Externally it will feature a living wall on the north side of the School and electric charging points for vehicles. 

Principal of Dame Allan’s Schools, Will Scott, said: “The project is moving at a great pace and now the steels are up we are really seeing the building take shape. This is such a significant and exciting development in the history of the Schools, and it’s nice to see how enthusiastic our younger pupils are about using it when they join the Senior School in September.”