Blurton school adds a dash of colour

YOUNG Stoke City fans now have the ideal place to study after a school moved into its striking new red and white-themed building.

The Potters' colours were a natural choice as Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy, in Blurton, is named after one of the club's most famous players and also educates its current academy footballers.

Eagle-eyed pupils – who moved into the £18.5 million building last week – can even spot the Britannia Stadium from their school windows.

Sixteen-year-old Evan Jones, from Blurton, said: "I'm a Stoke City fan. I think the red and white looks really nice.

"The whole building feels more like a college than a school. There's more freedom."

Visitors stepping inside the sleek new academy will find the colour theme continues in the classrooms. There are red cupboard doors, chairs, notice boards and ventilation ducts.

But as you sweep along the white corridors and staircases, it becomes less Stoke City and more like something out of the architectural magazine Wallpaper.

There is light streaming in through rows of windows and panoramic views.

From the science terrace, you get a prime view of the school's football pitch. Staff have jokingly suggested hiring out this balcony as an executive box during matches.

Evan said: "My favourite area is the sports hall. Our old facilities were about a quarter of the size."

The hall has a full-size badminton court, four small basketball areas and cricket nets.

Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy also boasts a dance studio, which is used by street dancing and gymnastics groups as well as for lessons.

Principal Mark Stanyer said: "I'm big on extended provision and the school has more than 30 clubs at lunchtimes.

"The new building is also open to the community. My vision is this becomes an academy that never sleeps."

Creative students can explore their dramatic talents in the new Courtney Holdcroft Community Arts Theatre, named in memory of a 12-year-old pupil killed in a road accident in 2011.

Former classmates believe Courtney, who had been a keen performer, would have loved the new facilities.

The theatre even has hidden seating for concerts and other events.

At the touch of a button, 250 seats spring out of the wall as if by magic.

And musical students have a purpose-built recording studio too. It has a mixing desk and looks out on to a classroom packed with keyboards and high-tech computers, which can be used for composing and performing music.

Fifteen-year-old Rebekka Burrows, from Blurton, said: "I play the trombone and the music room is amazing.

"The new building is a much nicer environment. It's more airy and open."

But some features have taken a bit of getting used to, including the new doorless toilet blocks.

Each toilet cubicle has its own floor-to-ceiling door, but the rest of the space is open-plan and the boys and girls' loos are opposite each other.

Rebekka said: "One of the good things is the toilets have smoke detectors, so people have nowhere to smoke."

Alice Jones, aged 15, from Dresden, is also impressed with the new surroundings.

She said: "The old school was split between five buildings on the site. It's nice to be in one place."

The school was built by construction firm Wates and funded through Stoke-on-Trent City Council's £250 million Building Schools for the Future programme.

Work on demolishing the old building, which sits alongside the new one, started this week.

Families were first promised a new building, for what was then known as Blurton High, almost a decade ago.

Rebekka said: "It was supposed to be built when my brother was here. He's now almost 20."

But Mr Stanyer believes it was worth the wait.

He added: "It's a brilliant facility for our students and one the community deserves."

What do you think of the new school? Email kathie.mcinnes@thesentinel.co.uk