Topping out ceremony marks school's exciting milestone (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

A £6.7m extension takes shape at Runcorn academy

7:30am Thursday 24th January 2013 in News By Barbara Jordan

AN exciting milestone for a £6.7 million extension at Runcorn’s Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy has been celebrated with a topping out ceremony.

A tree was placed on the roof of the new building following an ancient Scandinavian religious custom.

Head Girl, 15-year-old Kenniann Grainger, said “It was great to be part of the ceremony and to sign our names on the steel knowing it will be there forever.

“We can’t wait for the building to open in June to use the new fitness suite, library and theatre.”

The last piece of concrete was poured in and students signed their names on a steel joist.

Vice principal Andrew Moorcroft said: “There has been rapid progress with our new building which will be open for students in June.

“This ceremony was a really enjoyable way to celebrate it. With our growing numbers and sixth form college, we are really looking forward to having so much extra room and such fantastic facilities.”.

The new building will include a new dance and drama theatre, fitness suite, hair and beauty salon, learning resource centre, cyber café, digital arts suite, learning street, sixth form centre, debating chamber and crèche.

It will also provide many extra classrooms.

The existing building in Barnfield Avenue, Murdishaw, will be completely refurbished to provide a high quality learning environment for current students and future generations.

Graham Ford, project manager for Balfour Beatty, said: “It is a pleasure working alongside staff and students.

“There is a real ethos of working together.

“We are all looking forward to handing over a first class new building.”