Ryde School is planning to build a new boarding house and sports pitch in the school’s grounds off Queens Road in Ryde within the next 18 months, it has been announced.
The proposal is for a boarding house to accommodate up to 68 pupils alongside a new Astro turf pitch with the potential for inter-school and local sports club benefit. The proposed placement of the building is near the existing tennis courts.
The project will ensure Ryde School can continue to expand its boarding provision, ensuring its facilities are comparable to other British schools in the highly competitive market and so allowing pupils from across the UK and internationally to benefit from attending Ryde School. These extra boarding pupils will contribute to the local economy in terms of weekend spend and transportation, will ensure new employment opportunities at the school and will bring parents and friends from the UK and around the globe to the Island.
Ryde School has responded to feedback from local residents and, after an initial consultation and subsequent correspondence, has amended the concept drawings to answer some concerns including that the building was too high, drainage wasn’t sufficient enough and privacy concerns from neighbours.
Mark Waldron, Headmaster has said:
“We are very excited about this proposed development of our boarding provision.
“Boarding is an important part of what Ryde School offers. The Isle of Wight is a perfect setting for pupils looking for a healthy, positive environment in which to grow up and be educated and offers an enriching experience for pupils who come to the Island from the rest of the UK and abroad. At the same time our boarders enrich our School and the Island community with their diverse backgrounds and experiences and are a timely and daily reminder of the exciting but competitive world our pupils need to be ready to embrace.”
The amended plans have been submitted to the Isle of Wight Council. Comments can be made until 14th April at https://www.iwight.com/planning/AppDetails3.aspx?frmId=32501.
