Thomas Keble School in Eastcombe has recently finished building its new school after a four-year-long process, writes Elspeth Holton.
After being chosen by a SRP government initiative (School Rebuilding Programme), Thomas Keble was just 1 of 50 schools nationally to be included. The school has just completed Phase 1 of the building work this term, with pre-build work starting back in February 2023.
Steven Shaw, is only the fifth headteacher in the history of Thomas Keble School. He joined during the early stages of the new build’s consultation process.
Mr Shaw said: “The project has brought departments all back into one place, instead of a collection of separate buildings”.
Mr Shaw added: “The new build is incredibly efficient. The roof is covered in solar panels and the school is heated by ground source heat pumps. It feels great to be in. You’re putting the children in a place where you would be happy to work as an adult”.
The school was renamed Thomas Keble in September 1990. It was previously called Manor School. Thomas Keble recently held an Open Weekend allowing former students one more look around their old school, before it is completely demolished in the summer.
450 former pupils attended the Open Weekend and many of the school’s historical memorabilia was on display, including year books dating back to the 1970s and Thomas Keble’s Bible from 1985, the vicar the school is now named after.
Former student, Jenny Rilon from Stroud, went along to the open weekend. She attended the school between 1963 and 1967. Jenny was accompanied by her grandson, Sam, who is currently a student at Thomas Keble.
With 58 years between her final year and her grandson’s, Jenny said: “Some of the classrooms had moved or changed, but that didn’t stop me from telling my grandson what it used to be like.”
All 731 students and staff have now relocated to the new school building. It will be another 11 months before total completion.
