Kier Group plc : Kier completes Essa Academy, Bolton

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			Kier completes Essa Academy, Bolton 03/01/2012 Kier working with Sheppard Robson Architects, has completed work on the new £14.5m Essa Academy in Bolton. The 8,303sq m academy provides a unique 900 place learning environment for 11 to 16-year-olds and is now fully occupied. The sophisticated, state-of-the-art learning facility provides a business-like environment that is carefully balanced with a calm and inclusive atmosphere. Pupils use cutting edge ICT (including their own individual ipod touch's) with optimum efficiency to break down the barriers of learning and embrace independent and creative thinking - developing as confident citizens ready and prepared to carve out a route to future employment. The design concept for the site is based around a processional route from the site entrance to the building entrance that prepares students for the day of learning. The building is arranged to form a welcoming, civic entrance and encloses a partially covered courtyard. Central to the Essa design is the International Business and Enterprise Centre (IBEC) - an interactive facility and official Apple Learning Centre. Deliberately placed in the most conspicuous location - 'floating' above the reception and the main entrance - the IBEC is fully glazed and interspersed with brightly coloured aluminium fins, so that the activities and events inside can be seen on the approach to the building. Academy principal, Showkat Badat, commented: "This fantastic building has improved well-being, increased community pride and fostered a happy, calm and business-like atmosphere. This is a building that takes innovation rhetoric into delivered reality. Design director at Sheppard Robson, Rupert Goddard added: "It has been great to be involved in such an exciting new project and to see the team's visions turned into reality. We have been fortunate to have had an enormously enthusiastic and committed team from Essa, who have inputted into the design from the very start. The academy transforms the image of education locally and provides highly flexible learning spaces." Managing director of Kier Construction's northern region, Gary Wintersgill, also commented: "We are delighted with the new academy as it will provide an educational step change to the children in Bolton by delivering an IT rich and flexible learning environment. The school team have been a delight to work with and very proactive throughout, which has enabled us to deliver a school fit for the 21st century." For more information contact: Press Office [e-mail]
			Kier Group plc, Tempsford Hall, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2BD United Kingdom 01767 640111 01767 640002