Houlton School

Houlton School is a co-educational secondary school and sixth form located in Houlton, Warwickshire, England. The school's buildings have been developed on the historic site of the Rugby Radio Station. Designed to serve 1100 students, the school opened on 1 September 2021 with its first cohort of 180 year 7 students.[1][2]

Not to be confused with Houlton High School.

Houlton School
Address
Signal Drive

Houlton

Warwickshire
,
CV23 1ED

England
Information
TypeFree school
Established2021
Local authorityWarwickshire
TrustTLET
Department for Education URN143707 Tables
OfstedReports
PrincipalMichael McCulley
GenderCo-educational
Age11 to 18
Websitewww.houltonschool.org.uk

History

Houlton School in Rugby, Warwickshire, is located on the grounds of the Rugby Radio Station, which was established in 1926.[3] According to developer Morgan Sindall Construction, the station "at the height of its power in the mid-20th century, was the largest in the world. In 1927 the site transmitted the first transatlantic radio signal."[4] The station was phased out between 2003 and 2007,[3] and it became a Grade II-listed site on the National Heritage List for England in February 2005.[5]

Van Heyningen and Haward Architects created the plan that transformed the former Rugby Radio Station power building and its water tower, and added three new teaching blocks.[6] Morgan Sindall Construction received a £39 million commission to convert the radio station into a secondary school that would "provide more than 1,000 pupils with a modern 123,100 square foot learning environment."[4] According to Morgan Sindall, the former power room was converted into an assembly hall and canteen, retaining many of its original features.[4] They removed the roof, retaining the walls, then inserted a steel frame to create additional floors within the building.[4] In addition, the project restored the façades of the listed building while preserving "the industrial character of the main internal spaces."[7]

Richard Coppell, development director for Urban&Civic, said, "The transformation of this landmark building is a welcomed signal of progress and optimism for the local community who are rightly excited about the unique and inspiring school for their children, only a short stroll from home."[7]

In February 2021, Houlton School was approved by the government's education secretary to open in September 2021.[8]

Campus location before Houlton School groundbreaking

Admissions
Rugby Radio Station in 2007 before transformation to school

Houlton is an independent academy, not affiliated with the local district. Houlton requires no tuition fees. Pupils may apply to enroll as long as they are able to commute to school daily. Students who have a sibling already attending or who live near Houlton School have a greater chance of admission.[9]

Curriculum

Students at Houlton school study the "full National Curriculum" and the core academic qualifications of the English Baccalaureate. The school plans to offer a "range of applied, employer-focused qualifications, including digital broadcast and new media" at grades 10 and 11.[10]

The reconstructed five-storey building provides "art space, drama and dance studios, music room and sixth form social space".[11]

According to the Transforming Lives Educational Trust, which has operating responsibilities for the Houlton School, the site will also have:

...purpose-built Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Humanities buildings, as well as a Sport England Compliant Sports Centre that will be available for community use. There will also be a professional grade radio studio that will broadcast from the site, honouring the campus' heritage as a global centre for communication.[12]

Co-curricular offerings

Multiple different clubs both during and after school hours offer students opportunities for co-curricular education. These clubs include sports, arts, and sciences, and are all taught by existing teaching staff.[13]

Partner schools

Houlton School has three partner schools: Henry Hinde Infant School, Henry Hinde Junior School and Ashlawn School. These partner schools are all affiliated with the Transforming Lives Educational Trust.[12]

References
  1. "First year 7 pupils welcomed to Rugby's newest secondary school on radio mast site". www.warwickshireworld.com. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. "Houlton School - GOV.UK". www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  3. "Rugby Radio Station | A Short History". Our Warwickshire. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  4. "Morgan Sindall Construction receives £39 million Rugby secondary school brief". Morgan Sindall Construction. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  5. "Rugby Radio Station, Clifton upon Dunsmore - 1391243 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  6. "Houlton Secondary School, Rugby". vHH. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  7. Youde, Kate (29 October 2019). "vHH wins approval to create new school around former radio station". The Architects' Journal. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  8. "Rugby's Houlton School set to welcome its first pupils in September after Government approves opening". www.warwickshireworld.com. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  9. "Houlton School". Houlton School. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  10. "Houlton School Curriculum Overview". Houlton School. 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  11. Shufflebotham, Bethan (19 August 2020). "Drone provides sneak peek of Rugby's newest neighbourhood school". CoventryLive. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  12. "Houlton School Set to Feature on BBC One TV Programme". Transforming Lives Educational Trust.
  13. "Co-Curricular Activities at Houlton School" (PDF). Houlton School.

52.3671°N 1.1884°W / 52.3671; -1.1884

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