First look: New £2 million teaching facilities at St Margaret’s

St Margaret’s Academy has opened the doors to its new teaching facilities.

Staff and pupils at the Aigburth school have been enjoying new state of the art teaching facilities, which include a new food technology suite and drama theatre.

The new facilities come as the school looks to broaden its curriculum with BTEC options, offering pupils alternative routes into their chosen careers.

The drama theatre has been designed to give students the opportunity to learn and perform in professional surroundings, complete with adaptable staging, tiered seating, and a state of the art lighting system with a fully equipped sound desk and speaker system. The space will facilitate KS3 and KS4 drama lessons, and will be used to stage various productions and music events.

The new food technology suite boasts 12 cookers and an interactive whiteboard, with space for 24 pupils per session.

The facilities will support a new food science programme based on building skills, confidence and interest in food nutrition and food science.

This year, a group of year 10 pupils will be undertaking the Jamie Oliver Home Cooking Skills BTEC qualification, while GCSE pupils will benefit from a Food Preparation and nutrition course from next year.

The £2 million investment in the school’s facilities is part of Mayor Joe Anderson’s £169 million Liverpool School Investment Programme.

Headteacher Stephen Brierley, says: “Our new facilities are a great addition to St Margaret’s and the learning experience we offer for pupils here, catering not only for those with academic interests, but also for our learners who thrive in creative and vocational subjects.

“The response so far has been fantastic, with pupils and staff thriving in the new teaching environments. Coupled with our excellent A Level and post-16 results last month, I’m confident that there is more success in store for St Margaret’s Academy.”