NEWS REPORTS 
FACILITIES The Hope Zone | ||
This million pound building has enabled us to offer you the very best in resources and access for Computing, ICT and Media and Film Studies.The eight classrooms contain state-of the- art equipment including video projection, video conferencing, widescreen televisions, VCR and DVD access and flat-screen computers. Media students can make full use of an editing suite using digital cameras and Apple Mac editing packages during lessons, after College and in the holidays. All students, regardless of subject choices, can use the purpose-built open-access centre which provides fully-staffed facilities including 40 computers with Internet and Intranet access. Fast laser printers ensure that work can be produced within minutes. Staff are always on hand to help and support you in your work and the area is open from 8.30 am until 8.00 pm in term time and during College holidays. |
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At St. Mary's we are continually improving facilities and accommodation for you.
Finley-Stokes Centre | ||
The Finley-Stokes Centre, opened in January 2005, was the second building in our ambitious programme of on-going development.Dedicated to Social Sciences and Modern Languages, it provides ten new classrooms, a language laboratory, a conference room and a fully-equipped open-access area for your use throughout the day where you can work and undertake research on flat-screen computers with Internet and printing facilities. Each classroom has large screen projection linked to computers and DVD/VHS players. In our recent inspection, Ofsted highlighted the "excellent accommodation" provided by this new facility.
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Graystone Science Centre | ||
It was three years in the planning. It took nine months, a team of architects, a project manager, nearly 100 workmen and 2 million pounds, but finally, on September 12th 2007, St. Mary's opened its new science block, The Graystone Science Centre.Professor Kevin Kendall of Birmingham University, an ex-student of the College and a leading expert in Chemical Engineering was invited to cut the ribbon and declare the building officially open. This exciting £2.5 million project underlines the College commitment to provide top quality teaching in excellent accommodation. It also enables us to meet the demands made by recent increases in the number of science A Level students studying at St. Mary's. The brand new, two-storey, building overlooks the playing fields and comprises nine state-of-the-art laboratories dedicated to the teaching of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. It also offers a research room, propagation room and excellent preparation areas for practical work. So if, like many of our former students, you are looking for a science-based A Level course, possibly leading to a career in Medicine, Veterinary Science, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Forensics, Physiotherapy, Optometry etc. our new facilities are ready and waiting for you.
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St. Mary's has made a multi-million pound commitment to the performing arts.
The O'Neill Academy For Performing Arts | ||
The official opening of our brand new centre for Performing Arts took place on Friday 1st February 2008.Named after a previous and much loved Principal, Kevin O'Neill, the Academy is a fitting location for our grade 1 ‘outstanding ‘faculty of Performing Arts.The guest of honour who officially opened the building was Peter Salmon, Chief Creative Director for BBC Vision.
At its heart is a 200 - seat theatre which incorporates the latest technology for lighting and sound and electronically activated seating which can be accessed at the touch of a button. Surrounding the theatre are two extensive drama studios, each with their own lighting and sound facilities. In addition, students can now benefit from a spacious dance studio complete with ceiling to floor mirrors and a ballet-bar. The building also houses superb facilities for music and music technology. As well as providing spacious classrooms, the College has invested significantly in new technology for music students and in a suite of recording and practice studios. This centre is the perfect setting for the five AS/A Levels offered in Performing Arts: Dance, Music, Music Technology, Performance Studies and the Theatre Arts option in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. |
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Refurbishments | ||
Extensive refurbishments have taken place throughout the College recently. The main building was refurbished and extensive classroom space developed following the departure of the Science Department to the new Graystone Science Centre. All departments are now clustered together with working and resource areas for staff. The next phase of this on-going development saw radical alterations to the College Hall and Chapel areas. This space has become much more student friendly with the expansion of the social and dining areas. The chapel has been fully modernised and extra space for prayer rooms and meetings included. Externally, the College has changed as well. The front of the building has undergone an extensive face lift including our bus lane which provides space for several buses to disembark students on-site and away from the main road. |
Before (above) and after (below)
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