New facility at Brighouse helps learning outside the classroom

More flexible styles of learning are being introduced at Grace Academy as students get the opportunity to study outside the classroom in new facilities at Brighouse, near Atherstone.

As one of only two schools in Solihull to have access to Brighouse, Grace Academy shares use of the facility with twenty other schools from across Birmingham.

Brighouse is a refurbished industrial farming building designed to fit in with the local area which can accommodate up to 30 students overnight.

Commenting on the opportunities offered by Brighouse to change the way students learn and develop, Matt Godwin, Vice Principal, said:

“Brighouse gives us the flexibility to change the style of learning for our students.  We do a lot of work in the classroom but we have started to improve the outside areas of the Academy with the outdoor gym and Eco site.

“With access to Brighouse, we can make learning more relevant to our students’ needs and help to improve their academic achievement and social development as well.  Sometimes social development in school can be lost, so this gives us another opportunity to support our students.  For example, Brighouse has a kitchen so we are planning to take our Year 13 students there to show them how to cook in preparation for university.”

The first students to take advantage of the facility were the Arts students and teachers Helen Forbes and Jenny Price said:

“The Year 12s were able to gather lots of photographs and research for their A levels in Fine Art and Photography while we were at Brighouse.  Atlanta Hughes and Kayleigh Hill were the stars of the day, keeping the positivity and enthusiasm flowing throughout, and offering to wash up at the end.  They were an absolute delight to spend all day with. They enjoyed it so much, they want to return for an overnight stay!”

Year 12 A Level Art student Rayna Spencer, added:

“It was inspiring and gave me the opportunity to gather lots of ideas for my coursework.”