Expert plans school in abandoned store

The project, which is being considered by Rotherham Borough Council and construction giant Balfour Beatty, has the backing of education expert Prof Stephen Heppell, who hopes the school will open next year.

The exact location of the former store has not yet been revealed as negotiations with a high street chain involved have yet to be finalised.

Prof Heppell, an expert in education technology from Bournemouth University, said that the school would teach children from all age groups.

“It would be like a community college for everyone,” he said. “There is no reason why people couldn't go on doing GCSEs and come out with a degree.”

Prof Heppell is already involved in a similar project at a former quarry in Dorset, which may take 120 pupils in eight different year groups, even taking in degree courses.

He thinks the scheme will help regenerate the town centre and prove to be great value for money and he also thinks that shop floors are better suited to modern teaching approaches than traditional classrooms.

Prof Heppell added that in such a different type of building, styles of teaching and learning would have to be different too, with staff working more closely with individual pupils.

He said: “What most people might be surprised at is the cost, as it would be relatively cheap to build compared to college campuses. In the case of the Rotherham store, very little structural change would be needed.

“Shops like this one have got a huge floor space, but you’ve also got alcoves so you can change round the school’s layout.

“You want a few small rooms for admin and so on, but shops have got those upstairs. There is amazing access for bringing stuff in and taking it out and it would grab children's attention. It couldn't be more ideal.”

Similar learning centres have been developed in Christchurch, New Zealand, and have proved to be attractions in shopping centres.

Prof Heppell said he hoped that the Rotherham project would have a similar impact on the rundown town.

He said: “I get a warmth in Rotherham. It’s just a nice place to be. It saddens me though when I see whole streets boarded up.

“I travel all around the world and the same is going on in other countriess

“I have just got back from Abu Dhabi and because there are too many shops and department stores over there many of them are shutting down.   

“The thought that you might put learning in and draw people back is wonderful.”

A council spokesman said: “We have been approached regarding this project to use a town centre location for an educational centre.

“We now are looking into its feasibility as part of work under the regeneration of the town centre and the Transforming Rotherham Learning project.”