Mount Gilbert School opens new Skills Centre in Dawley
Pupils and staff from Mount Gilbert school have officially open their brand new three quarter of a million pound skills centre this week.
Mount Gilbert School in Dawley has undergone extensive refurbishment works as part of Telford & Wrekin Council’s £200m Building Schools for the Future programme.
The official opening hosted by Gavin Cowan, former Shrewsbury Town football player took place on Wednesday 12 December. Parents, pupils, governors and other stakeholders were invited to take part in the grand opening and watch presentations and demonstrations from pupils.
Mount Gilbert School provides secondary education for pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Through the Building Schools for the Future programme, the school identified a need to provide its pupils with a more vocational curriculum.
The Skills Centre has been designed to offer pupils the option to do a two year course based around a variety of modules consisting of: bricklaying, painting and decorating, floor laying, wall tiling and plumbing.
The overall aim of the Skills Centre is that pupils will leave with skills that they can use throughout their lifetime while also helping them to become more employable.
The pupils now have the opportunity to achieve a Level 1 diploma in practical skills which carries the same equivalent points as 2 grade A/S at GCSE Level.
The Skills Centre has a state of the art design and technology department that offers pupils a range of courses including: computer aided design, entry level product design, resistant materials, graphics, and electronics and are starting to develop BTEC Construction.
Head teacher Lisa Lyon said: “We are very pleased with the skills centre and the refurbishment works that has taken place in and around the school.
“The Skills Centre opened its doors to our pupils in October and they are enjoying the opportunity to learn how to use machinery safely and are developing some really good products.
“The overall response to the new courses on offer has been extremely positive and some of our most disengaged pupils are now re-engaging with school life.”
Councillor Paul Watling, cabinet member for Children, Young People and Families, said: “It really is the latest significant milestone in our Building Schools for the Future Programme.
“Mount Gilbert marks the start of the programme in Dawley as we also get ready to see the new Phoenix School open its doors to the public in the New Year.
“Not only this but another six schools are also set to benefit from either a complete rebuild or extensive remodelling works as part of our fast pace programme that will provide fantastic learning environments for generations to come.”
Mount Gilbert School is also currently looking to recruit, with several vacancies available on its governing body.
Those who would like to volunteer as a governor at Mount Gilbert School and become part of a team that aims to make the school a better experience for all should contact Lisa Lyon (Head Teacher) or Nikki Venables (Business Manager) 01952 387670.
