Holywells High could switch to new home

Holywells High School

IPSWICH: Holywells High School could relocate to a new site on the edge of Ravenswood, it emerged today.

The move could be completed in four years, with the first students moving into the new building near Gainsborough Sports Centre in 2014.

That would allow the existing Lindbergh Road site to be sold off - possibly for a major new housing development.

Although nothing is yet certain, such a move could also prompt a change of name for a school that has been blighted by poor exam results in the past.

An exhibition of the plans for parents and residents of the area to give their views will take place early next month.

And funding for the scheme will come from the government's Building Schools for the Future fund - the scheme which is also providing funding for a new high school in Felixstowe.

However there will inevitably be questions about the funding if there is the expected spending squeeze after next year's general election.

Graham Newman county spokesman for children said: “An exciting opportunity to relocate Holywells High School into brand new facilities on the Gainsborough Sports Centre is being is being proposed as part of plans for the future of the school.

“As part of the academy proposal the school is expected to take on additional pupils and will therefore require additional facilities.

“It would not be possible to effectively provide these on the existing site. The proposed relocation will increase facilities for people living near by as well providing the school with improved facilities and brand new buildings.”

Holywells is being transformed into an academy from September next year - but the move to the new site would not happen immediately.

A county spokesman said the school would probably be left on its current site after the academy is set up before work starts on the new building in 2013 - and that would take a year to complete.