Cowes High School has won a multi million pound government grant to help revolutionise education on the Island.
The school is set to be transformed into a modern learning centre in the next three years, with the whole of the local community set to reap the benefit. It will be awarded up to £30.5 million, enabling it to expand its status to become a genuinely top quality educational facility for Islanders of all ages.
The bid for the money was made by the Isle of Wight Council last summer, and following a lengthy wait, news filtered through last week that the proposal had been successful. Plans can now commence for the building of the new centre, due to be completed in 2009, which will enable the young and old alike to gain qualifications and improve employment opportunities.
It is envisaged that the developments at Cowes High will also place a significant emphasis on being environmentally friendly and sustainable, with community travel plans and a ‘zero carbon’ footprint. When completed, the learning centre will be a real asset to the council’s continuing efforts to improve education standards.
Cowes High headteacher David Snashall spoke of his delight at the award, and is looking forward to the “extremely exciting project” which he believes will change the way education looks in Cowes.