Cowes Secondary School:
Moving ahead

Following the appointment of international civil engineering and construction company Pihl UK as preferred bidder, a further public meeting has been held for the community to air views on the current plans. Because the landmark building on the western end of the current Cowes High School site will offer many new community facilities, the council and Pihl are keen to ensure local ideas are incorporated. Subject to planning permission, work will begin in October and will be finished for the start of the new 2012 academic year. Pihl will use local industries and companies creating a considerable boost to the local economy.

School facilities for public use as well
include:
• an all-weather floodlit sports pitch;
• a 650-seat conference centre/ auditorium;
• multi-use games areas;
• green gym;
• early years provision;
• outdoors amphitheatre.

The building itself will be a maximum of two stories high, less intrusive than elements of the current site. It will have heating and hot water supplied by a biomass plant and make
maximum use of natural ventilation and lighting.

Innovative educational facilities include;
• a central atrium that provides an inspirational learning environment;
• external and internal courtyards and spaces offering both social and learning areas;
• a living science garden;
• music recording studio;
• a working teaching-kitchen;
• rooftop conference area for staff, pupils and governors.

The current school will remain in use until the new build is completed. The contractor will start on site in October with the target to complete the new school building by the summer of 2012. Once the new building is completed, demolition of the old Cowes High School buildings can begin. The demolition,
along with its associated landscaping, should take a further 6 to 10 months with the contractors finally leaving the site in 2013.