Wolverhampton soul sensation Beverley Knight MBE went back to school last week to get a close look at its impressive new facilities.

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The award winning singer was one of the guests of honour at the official opening of Highfields School, which has been completely transformed as a result of the city's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

Another famous ex-pupil Rear Admiral Steve Lloyd CBE, who served the Royal Navy for 36 years, was also on hand to take part in the celebrations and officially open the school, on Boundary Way, Penn.

The event also saw live music performances by pupils and a speech from Councillor Phil Page, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Learning.

Highfields was one of 7 schools to benefit from the first phase of the BSF programme and opened in September last year.

It has been completely rebuilt on the site of its original home with a host of exciting new facilities to boost learning for students.

These include a science zone featuring a 'superlab' that will allow up to 75 students to carry out experiments at the same time, brand new ICT equipment, a multi-media, university-style lecture theatre with science demonstration area.

There is also a new main hall with retractable seating and a sliding folding wall to extend the room into the adjacent activity studio, allowing the school to host performances.

The school hosts new indoor and outdoor sports facilities including a sports hall that has a sliding folding wall to combine both Highfields and Penn Fields sports halls to create one large 6 court sports hall, for school and community use.

Other features include new dining facilities including eating areas on each of the 3 floors, outdoor learning areas, including an amphitheatre for outdoor performances, and allotment area and improve access to facilities for the community.

Councillor Phil Page, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Learning, said: "I am delighted that such glittering alumni as Beverley and Steve have been able to share in Highfields' success and celebration.

"The school has completely changed since they were pupils here and I'm sure they are impressed with the state-of-the-art facilities that the pupils now have access to.

"The benefits of the BSF investment are clear for all to see and Highfields is an excellent example of what is being achieved here in Wolverhampton."

  • released: Monday 22 July, 2013