Broadland MP Keith Simpson visited Reepham High School & College on Tuesday 30 September to view the recent improvements to the original school building. The completed work was paid for by a grant of more than £800,000 to replace the windows, doors and blinds.
Left to right: Paul Quinn, project manager, Quinn Construction; Andrew Teather, Teather + Walls Architects; Owen Russell, site manager, Quinn Construction; Tony Williams, chair of RHSC Board of Governors; Mark Farrar, RHSC principal; and Keith Simpson MP
Mark Farrar, principal, said: “The refurbishment has significantly improved the working environment and the appearance of the building. In addition, it will substantially reduce our energy costs. Most importantly, Reepham pupils will have modern classrooms that will help them learn.
“We are very grateful to our architect, Andrew Teather, and our contractors for completing the work within six weeks. This was a marvellous achievement. I should add that the school staff also worked very hard to make sure we were ready to open in September. It has been a real team effort.”
The window refurbishment was financed by the Department for Education. Mr Farrar continued: “We are hopeful that this is the first part of a three-phase programme that will see the oldest part of our building upgraded to that of the highest quality modern building.”
He added that this approach is much cheaper than that of demolishing and rebuilding the entire structure. “This is why the DfE is interested in it. If the second phase is approved, then next summer the original school building will have its roof updated, the external walls will be cladded in thermal insulation, and the classrooms will be stripped and upgraded to a modern and high quality standard.”
See our earlier news story: