TAKE A LOOK INSIDE BRISTOL’S NEWEST SCHOOL
Students and teachers will soon be dreaming of their summer holidays, but whilst the academic year is just two months from completion, preparations for the opening of Bristol’s newest school are moving full steam ahead.
The Merchants’ Academy in Withywood will be open to 130 new students in year seven and around 30 Sixth Formers this September, along with all those currently in years seven, eight nine and ten from Withywood Community School.
Co-sponsored by the Society of Merchant Venturers and the University of Bristol, the Merchants’ Academy will be the first school of its kind in South Bristol, independent of local authority control.
At capacity, it will have 1,150 students and will be a state-of-the-art education facility of seven separate pavilions build around an attractive courtyard.
Stephen Kings, the Principal Designate who was born and educated in Bristol, said: “We are working hard to develop an environment for a 21st century education which this area of Bristol particularly needs.
“The Academy will be more like an American-style campus with lots of internal and external open space providing a safe and enjoyable place for students to remain throughout the school day.
“The buildings have been specifically designed for an active but personal approach to education with a number of break-out areas. We have also paid particular attention to integrating new students and will have a dedicated year seven block, which will make the step-up from primary school that bit easier.”
Technology will also be a fundamental part of the learning environment at the Merchants’ Academy.
“We have a learning resource centre full of computers which will be the size of seven class rooms.
“There will also be projectors in every class room and teachers will all have laptops so they are able to conduct their lessons in a very interactive way – it will truly be a modern building with modern technology and teaching.”
In terms of the sporting facilities at the school, there is currently one pitch in place and when Withywood Community School is demolished, following the opening of the Academy, a further two pitches including all weather facilities will be constructed.
The Merchants’ Academy will specialise in enterprise and skills, drawing on its links with the Merchant Venturers and Bristol University, but it also hopes to nurture the more creative side of its students.
The school will have two drama studios and a number of fully kitted-out music practice rooms, and this creative environment has had the full backing of the future students. Their opinions were sought when artwork was commissioned on the entrance and throughout the school’s buildings.
A group of six future students of the Merchants’ Academy, currently studying art at Withywood Community School, worked with Ginkgo, a specialist independent art consultancy, to conduct some market research amongst students, teachers and local residents.
“The results were very interesting indeed,” said Stephen.
“The majority of those surveyed wanted to see the artwork provide a wow-factor to the new school and just under three quarters said that first impressions are important.
“Most interestingly 90 per cent said this could lead to a more positive attitude and behaviour in the new Academy.”
Following the research, artist Tod Hanson was commissioned to develop a piece of art for the front façade of the new Academy, as well as some murals for the interior of the building.
Tod has worked in many different settings, including the offices of ITV, the London School of Economics and the grounds of the stately home Cragside House. His work has also been shown in art galleries both in London and internationally.
Tod decided to create a mural that would highlight the location of the Academy in Withywood, as well as linking this with references to Bristol and the Academy sponsors.
Tod said: “The design of the mural is a combination of elements of the Merchants’ historic coat-of-arms, and stylised branches of a willow tree or withy clustered around the entrance to the building. These have been arranged to form a contemporary-style pattern of anchors, feathers, armour and other heraldic elements.
“When looking for inspiration I always go to the imagery that excites me most. For the Merchants’ Academy it struck me that it would be fun to play with elements of the Bristol and Merchant Venturers’ heraldry.
“The mural painting took two months to complete. I must have walked a few miles every day, carrying paint and brushes along each level. It was also quite dusty, noisy and windy on the four scaffold walkways.”
The removal of the scaffolding in recent weeks has meant that the artwork - complete bar a few finishing touches - can now be enjoyed by passers-by prior to the opening of the Academy later this year.
Stephen Kings commented: “We are very proud of the modern, vibrant artwork, we feel it really delivers the wow-factor that the students asked for.
“We hope that it will come to be seen locally as a landmark for Withywood and will be placed in high regard along with the reputation and standards within the Academy.” He concluded.
ENDS
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