AN ‘EXCITING’ proposal to create Rugby’s first and only ‘all-through’ school has been announced.
The Transforming Lives Educational Trust (TLET) which runs Houlton School proposes to add a new building to the site, creating an ‘all-through’ school which educates children from Reception through to Sixth Form.
The new building would have enough space for two classes – comprising 60 pupils – in each year group, and would welcome 30 Reception children in its first year, which is anticipated to be in September 2026.
James Higham, TLET’s CEO, said: “This is an incredibly exciting proposal. These plans will give local families a very different offer, and something that will be unique in Rugby and the surrounding area.
“Children will be able to learn on one site from their first day at school through to them heading to the country’s top universities and employers.
“This means they will be able to grow through their education in an environment that is not just nurturing and familiar to them, but also provides award winning facilities.”
An artist’s impression of the new building.
He said there was evidence to show the all-through model could enhance wellbeing, create role-model and leadership opportunities for students, and improve academic learning.
He added: “It also means that staff are not confined to teaching specific year groups. For example, teachers in the secondary part of the school could spend time in the primary phase – and vice versa. This is great for staff development and retention.”
The school would be designed and built by Houlton’s master developer Urban&Civic as part of its outline planning permission for the growing community of Houlton, and then transferred to TLET to operate as an all-through school.
A planning application has been submitted to Rugby Borough Council for the new primary school building which will be located to the west of the entrance to the existing Houlton School.
A proposal will also be submitted to the Department for Education to change the age range of Houlton School to include primary children.
Mike van den Berg, Project Director for U&C at Houlton, said: “We are delighted to be working with TLET and Houlton School again to create the Borough’s first all-through school.
“As we have shown through the creation of Houlton School and St Gabriel’s Church of England Academy, we have a track record of creating award winning spaces that are helping to inspire learners of all ages.
“We are excited to share the plans that TLET and ourselves have developed for the next phase of Houlton’s educational offer – and once again engage with the wider community to help us formalise and strengthen our plans.”
U&C and TLET’s first project, now Houlton School, has won 14 design and construction awards for the transformation of the former Rugby Radio Station building, including the RIBA Reinvention Award in 2023.
A public consultation on the plans is underway and runs until February 7. Visit www.tlet.org.uk/about-us/houlton-consultation for more information and to take part.
