Huge plan for Queensbury school Trinity Academy Bradford

Two blocks at Trinity Academy Bradford - the former Queensbury School and then Queensbury Academy - will be knocked down to make way for the new buildings under newly submitted plans.

The third block will be given a full refurbishment, and there will be an increase in the amount of playing pitches on the site.

An application for the work has been submitted to Bradford Council by the Department for Education this week.

It says some of the buildings are in a “poor condition” and are “failing to meet the needs” of the school.

The school, on Deanstones Lane in Queensbury changed its name when it became part of the Trinity Multi Academy Trust in 2021.

The school would keep its current student numbers if the plans are approved – retaining capacity for 1,050 pupils.

The planning application says: “Trinity MAT have highlighted that the school buildings are suffering from various repair issues, which are prohibiting the school from using some classrooms and also are causing issues with main facilities (such as the dining and sports hall) which have suffered from water damage as a result of the poor condition of the buildings and are currently failing to meet the needs of the Trust.

“Block EFFA and ROSLA block also have inherent issues with life expired roof and asbestos in the fabric of the building.

“The three-storey EFAB block was built in the year 2000 and accommodates a significant amount of teaching accommodation, which is to be retained.”

An artist' impression of the planned refurbishment (Image: Department for Education)

The application acknowledges that some of the school’s playing pitches will be unusable for several months during the different stages of construction.

But, it adds: “The scheme will deliver an overall net gain of playing pitches in excess of 10,000sqm which is a substantial benefit to sports provision on the site.”

The application also says the new buildings will be “net zero” and much more environmentally friendly than the existing building.

It adds: “The development will include PV solar panels to allow for on-site energy generation, high-performance fabric U-values, triple glazed windows and hybrid ventilation systems, all of which will result in a development which provides significant reductions in carbon and environmental impacts.”

There will also be an extra 40 cycle parking spaces.

A public consultation on the plans took place late last year, and 19 people living in Queensbury responded.

One said: “The priority is to ensure children get a good education and to do this they need a school fit for purpose. These school buildings have been neglected and desperately need the new build.”

Another said: “I can only see what you are doing as a positive for the school, the children of Queensbury.”

Some raised concerns about the plans, particularly a proposal to re-open a footpath to the school from Russell Hall Lane.

One resident said: “These were originally closed off due to the amount of traffic using Russell Hall Lane to drop off and pick students up. when you have lots of kids walking up and down it can be quite intimidating, especially for our elderly residents.”

The application responds to these concerns by saying: “Whilst we appreciate reintroducing the footpath may result in some disruption to residents through additional foot traffic in this area, there are also significant benefits by reducing the length of trips some students take to walk to school.”

A statement from the school said: “We are delighted with the progress that has been made in recent months regarding the proposed new building and refurbishment at Trinity Academy Bradford, and we are all looking forward to enjoying the significant improvements the new facilities will offer.

“The plans represent a substantial investment in our education infrastructure and will provide an outstanding learning environment for students in the local area.

“The building will include a range of new classrooms; a modern dining hall; multipurpose hall and performance space; Learning Resource Centre; and modern sports hall with additional sporting facilities.

“The new building and refurbishment will promote academic excellence and provide the ideal platform for students to succeed and take the next steps on their educational journey.”

The Telegraph & Argus has contacted the Department for Education to ask how much the development would cost but has yet to receive a response.

A decision on the application is expected in April.