A NEW secondary school is to be built in Rugby.
It will be located in the the new neighbourhood of Houlton, on the site of the former Rugby Radio Station, known locally as the “mast site”.
Department for Education (DfE) funding approval has been given to turn the Grade II listed building, which was the hub of global communications in the 1920s, into a multi-million pound free school set to open in September 2021.
The school – which will be run by the Transforming Lives Educational Trust (TLET) which also runs Ashlawn School – will be central to the 1,200 acre Houlton development being led by Urban&Civic.
Richard Coppell, development director at Urban&Civic, said: “We have worked closely with the DfE, Warwickshire County Council and TLET over the past year to form a partnership that will deliver a brand new secondary for Rugby. This will be run by a trust that is already delivering outstanding secondary education in nearby Ashlawn School.
“We now get to progress the exciting and unique challenge of turning this 1926 Grade II listed building in Houlton into an inspiring place to learn.”
TLET chair Stewart Jardine said the community would play a key role in its development.
He added: “What is really exciting about this site is that we have the opportunity to not just shape a new school, but also play a key role in the development of a community.
“Over the coming months we will be working with all our stakeholders to put in place plans for the new school. This will be such an aspirational place to learn, and we will be building on all the good practice across the Trust to ensure that the education on offer is of the highest standard. It is important, however, that we also allow this school to develop its own identity and ethos.”
Rugby and Bulkington MP Mark Pawsey welcomed the news.
He said: “Delivering the infrastructure needed to support Rugby as the town continues to grow has always been an important part of the proposals at Houlton.
“I am very pleased that Urban&Civic, who have worked hard to put the community at the heart of Houlton, have brought forward an innovative solution to deliver this much needed secondary school, which will be welcome news for parents throughout the local area.”
When complete, Houlton will include 6,200 homes as well as green spaces and local amenities.
St Gabriel’s CofE Academy, the first primary school at Houlton is already open, and two further primary schools are also planned.
A new link road connecting Houlton to Rugby town is set to open next summer.
