Major investment and development programme underway at Westfield School

A Gosforth school has revealed that work is well underway on an exciting major development programme to create new state of the art facilities.

The independent day school for girls has demolished a number of older classrooms to make way for a brand new facility to house specialist classrooms for the teaching of science and maths; all fitted with the latest equipment and educational technology.

The school is proud of its wide and varied curriculum and newly refurbished and modernised Fine Arts, Graphics and Textiles facilities will also be provided which will include a new IT suite.

As part of this development programme, the current outdated Junior House building, Ashfield Towers on Kenton Road has been sold, and a new Junior House is being created within the main school building, following a refurbishment of the current science block. These newly refurbished facilities will provide the Junior girls with a modern and inspiring learning environment, with outside spaces and play areas being upgraded.

A future phase in this development programme will see the creation of a new Performing Arts studio.

Working with Squires Barnett Architects, law firm Womble Bond Dickinson and construction company Meldrum Construction Services Ltd on the three-phase project, construction of the new STEM facilities began in early spring. The school will remain open as normal throughout the works.

Mr Walker, headmaster at Westfield School said: “As part of our growth plans, and to deliver an enhanced educational offering to pupils, we are adding a fantastic new building and dimension to Westfield School. The focus as always is on providing the best possible teaching and educational environment to inspire a life-long love of learning whilst maximising the potential of each and every pupil.

“In addition to this, we are very lucky to be situated within 6 acres of beautiful green space. Our carefully created plans mean that views of the surrounding nature from all areas of the school will remain intact, whilst our Junior House will be brought into the heart of the main building; aiding flexibility and the transition into Senior House.  We are incredibly excited about this milestone move to future-proof the school’s success.”

Dave Meldrum of Meldrum Construction Services said: “We are thrilled to be working with Westfield School. Encouraging more women into construction is something we are particularly passionate about, so it is great to be involved in the construction of the new STEM facilities at Westfield School. STEM subjects are of huge importance to the construction industry so focus and investment in this area is fantastic to see. Our people are our biggest asset so hopefully these new facilities will help produce some of our engineers, site managers and technical managers of the future”

Ian Greenshields, partner at Womble Bond Dickinson said: “Womble Bond Dickinson’s Education Team provided legal support to the school in relation to the sale of Junior House, the construction of the new facilities and generally on charity law issues relating to the project. The firm has been involved in the development of the project since its inception, along with Squires Barnett Architects, and is delighted in particular to see that the new facilities will not only provide a new location for Junior House, but also state of the art STEM facilities for the School.”

Westfield School is an independent day school for girls aged from three to 18-years-old in the heart of Gosforth, and was founded in 1960. The school has been producing successful young women year on year and is proud to showcase their new development.

For more information on Westfield School, or to register for a tour or for entry at any point during the year, visit www.westfield.newcastle.sch.uk.