Futuristic facility is class act

Enlarge Image

A village school in Devon is claiming to have one of the most technologically advanced classrooms in the country.

After a £250,000 revamp, the hall of the 196-year-old Broadclyst Community Primary School near Exeter has emerged as a state-of-the-art auditorium.

The school hall now boasts a 4m-wide projection wall, surround sound, as well as a planetarium.

Head teacher Peter Hicks said: "The only limit to what they can learn is their own imagination."

Model for future

Students face three large digital projection screens in front of theatre-style seating and desks and every pupil using the new system has continuous access to a broadband internet connection.

Pupils and parents can even log on to their schoolwork from home and the school leases out computers at low cost to families who cannot afford them.

Mr Hicks and deputy head teacher Jonathan Bishop devised the concept and outline design of the ITechE suite.

The cost of the project has largely been funded from the school's own resources as well as support from Devon County Council.

And the innovative classroom is proving popular with the school's 280 pupils.

Year six pupil Jacob Buswell said he feels like one of the "luckiest children in Europe. I just love working here," he said.

The National College for School Leadership has highlighted the school as a model for schools of the future and it has won praise from education ministers and Ofsted.

Mr Hicks said: "The envelope of learning is being pushed hard once again here at Broadclyst Community Primary School with what we believe is the most technologically advanced classroom in the country."