Life begins again for school building

A 3D visualisation of The Arnewood School's new £2.5m renovated building, by architects' Kendall Kingscott.

A 3D visualisation of The Arnewood School’s new £2.5m renovated building, by architects’ Kendall Kingscott.

For the first time in 40 years The Arnewood School in New Milton is to undergo a major facelift.

The school’s main building is to receive a £2.5million overhaul after Arnewood successfully secured a Condition Improvement grant from the government.

This funding will see the current 1970s building stripped bare apart from its main structural walls and replaced with an improved, more environmentally friendly façade, ceiling and windows.

Work will get underway in Spring 2018.

Headteacher, Nigel Pressnell, said: “This is fantastic news for everyone at the school as our ageing building will receive a much-needed update.

“Not only will the modernisation mean the building will be a lot more environmentally friendly and cost efficient but its exterior will be far more attractive as well.

“We have always been proud that our school is one of the first things you see when you drive into New Milton and soon we’ll be an even more attractive gateway for the town.”

Temporary classrooms will arrive on site next month (October) to begin the process of moving out of the current building.

Scaffolding will be erected in February 2018 and work will begin soon afterwards.

Everything will be replaced, including the ceiling, windows and carpets.

The improvements will result in the building being warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

Students are expected to be able to move into their new home by spring 2019.

CEO of The Gryphon Trust, which includes The Arnewood School, Alan O’Sullivan, said: “This is excellent news not only for the current staff and students but also future generations who come to work and study here.

“We are all very excited for this new gateway building to be completed and provide first class 21st century provision for our community.”

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