State-of-the-art teaching block officially opened at Egglescliffe School and Sixth Form

A new multi-million-pound teaching block named after British astronaut Tim Peake has officially opened at Egglescliffe School and Sixth Form - and it's out of this world!

The £7.1m state-of-the-art Peake building was funded by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council as part of its £57.7m investment programme to transform school buildings in the Borough.

The 32-classroom block includes zero carbon technologies in the design and purpose-built facilities for art and music.

The three-storey building also houses the geography, maths, RE and history departments, as well as the main school dining room. There is also a dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEND) suite.

Mrs Lindsay Oyston, Head Teacher at Egglescliffe School and Sixth Form, said: "The opening of the Peake building in April has been instrumental in providing a high-quality learning environment for both current and future generations of students as well as providing community facilities.

"The building was designed in collaboration with school leaders to ensure we could maintain some of our unique school character.

"We have a long history linked to space and each of our five houses are named after leading astronauts as the school was originally opened back in 1962 at the height of the space race. Therefore, it felt appropriate to name the building after a modern day astronaut, Major Tim Peake, linking our past with our future.

"The students, staff and governors of Egglescliffe School and Sixth Form are tremendously grateful for the financial investment by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council to ensure our school can continue to thrive and achieve even greater success, serving the local community."

Councillor Lisa Evans, the Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, cut the ribbon to officially open the Peake building this week.

She said: "The new teaching block looks absolutely stunning and is certain to improve the learning experience for current and future pupils for many years to come.

"While Egglescliffe School and Sixth Form is rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted, many of the school's facilities were no longer fit for purpose due to the condition of the current school building, and it was clear this was a much-needed facility.

"We've been making massive investment in school buildings across the Borough in recent years, irrespective of whether they are maintained, diocesan or academies. We're also including SEND and pre-school provision as part of our investment.

"It's vitally important that we do all we can to provide our children and young people with high quality learning environments fit for a modern education. It's about giving them the very best start we can, and I'm sure parents and carers would support that."

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