Belfast Boys’ Model School

Belfast Boys’ Model SchoolBallysillan Road

Belfast, BT14 6RB

T 028 9039 1156F 028 9071 3048

info@bbms.belfast.ni.sch.ukwww.bbms.org.uk

Headmaster’s Welcome

We talk a great deal in education about having a vision, working together to achieve shared goals and embracing collaboration.

The vision of a partnership which would deliver new schools capable of providing, not only superb facilities for the pupils, but also of creating hubs of learning for the community, was instigated by Mr David Cargo, Chief Executive of BELB.

A number of teams and individuals worked closely and tirelessly to create the magnificent school you see today. We were fortunate that the lead architect, Martin Hare, is an ex pupil who wanted to achieve something spectacular on a challenging site.

We are indebted to John Adamson of the Strategic Investment Board who pulled

together contributions from a number of Government departments to ensure that a range of community facilities formed an integral part of the school.

The school had to operate on what was a building site for almost four years, but what was a potential nightmare, became a smooth operation thanks to the tremendous working relationship between the school, guided by the Vice Principal Alan Logan and Farrans who could not have been more helpful.

Pupils and staff moved into the school in September and to say that there has been a substantial impact on both the community and ourselves, would be an understatement. The school’s relationship with AMEY has been productive, amicable and has enhanced our common goals.

“Our vision, at the outset, was that the new school would be a beacon in the community and so it has proven to be, both physically and metaphorically. I wish to thank all who had a part in creating this magnificent new learning community.”Jim Keith, Headmaster - Belfast Boys’ Model School

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“The Model system of schools was established in the 1800s to set the standards for all other schools in the area. In the 21st century, the Belfast Boys’ Model, and its sister school, the Belfast Model School for Girls, continue to lead the way, pioneering new models of learning.

The Belfast Education and Library Board, in building this new school, has assisted with this work by providing an outstanding educational, youth & community resource to meet the learning needs of the entire community in North Belfast.”

David Cargo,BELB Chief Executive

History 1857-2011

Belfast Boys’ Model School has striven to live up to this ideal and all those associated with the school can be justifiably proud of our long tradition of developing young people in their skills, confidence and attainment.

Soon after the Model School opened its doors, it had an enrolment of over one thousand pupils with a thriving adult education provision in the evenings.

The Divis Street school was soon regarded as a model of excellence in education, but on 26th May 1922 during

Original Divis Street SchoolBelfast Boys’ Model School, 1957

“A District Model School may be easily explained as being a school established on such principles, organised on such plans, regulated by such a course of discipline and conducted on such a method of instruction as to be a model or pattern for teachers, or School Managers or School Committees to copy or imitate.”Patrick Keenan, Chief Education Inspector for Ireland, speaking at the opening of Belfast Model School in 1857

a period of civil unrest, the building was set on fire and destroyed. The Model School was housed in part of the College of Technology and it eventually moved into new premises on the Cliftonville Road in 1938.

The passing of the 1947 Education Act resulted in a decision that the Model School should be focused on providing secondary education.

The relatively new Cliftonville building was not adequate to this task and so it was decided to build two new schools;

one for girls in Dunkeld Gardens & one on the Ballysillan Road, for boys. Belfast Boys’ Model School opened in 1957 and on that same site, now stands our outstanding new school building which has been designed and built to be a beacon of education and opportunity in the community.

The superb new facilities extend to the sports grounds at Mount Pleasant and we are delighted to see our pupils and so many members of the wider community enjoying all that the school has to offer.

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Dedication toMr E W Davis

Mr E W Davis or ‘Ernie’, as he was affectionately known, began his teaching career at The Model School on the Cliftonville Road in 1945.

This saw the beginning of a career which spanned 42 years and was marked by an extraordinary devotion to the success of his pupils, whether in terms of academic achievement or in sporting prowess.

One of the major highlights of his career was undoubtedly coaching the 1st XV to victory over Ballymena Academy in the Schools’ Cup final in 1971.

He was appointed as Headmaster in 1972 and led the school with the same characteristic drive and devotion until his retirement in 1988.

He will be remembered fondly as an inspiration, a leader, a motivator and perhaps most of all, as a character.

“He was funny, witty, entertaining and will never be forgotten by the many people whose lives he touched.”Lawrence McConnell, Former Head Boy & Teacher

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“I consider it a great privilege to have had a part to play in the development of this ambitious project which marks a milestone in the rich history of the Model Schools in Belfast. The result is a marvellous educational facility which will undoubtedly make a positive impact on the lives of young people and on the wider community, in the years ahead.”Alan Logan, Vice Principal

Architect’s Account

“This project was very close to my heart as I appreciated the great education the original school afforded me and also the happy memories I enjoyed as a pupil from 1976-1983. To return 28 years later and work closely with some of my original teachers in realising the new school was a milestone project in my Architectural career.”Martin Hare, McAdam Design

The restrictions of the original campus coupled with a sloping site necessitated numerous design studies. Architects and teachers met regularly to discuss and explore ambitious solutions. Headmaster, Jim Keith insisted on the highest design standards while ensuring the minimum disruption to the existing school. The final solution cleverly shaped the new school on vacated ground behind the existing buildings. This astonishing feat was so seamlessly achieved that upon completion the original restrictions melted away to reveal a spectacular new school.

Belfast Boys’ Model School has enjoyed a prominent position on the Ballysillan Road since 1957 and solicits genuine affection from within the local community. It is both a physical and metaphorical landmark for educational and sporting achievement in the area.

In response to this context McAdam Design formulated its winning design proposals in December 2006. We understood that the existing school was not simply a redundant series of buildings but was a rich source of inspiration.

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Lower Ground Floor Plan Ground Floor Plan First Floor Plan

1 Main Entrance2 Youth Club3 Pupil’s Entrance4 Technology

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5 Assembly Hall / Theatre6 Sports Hall 7 Dining Hall8 Library

9 Drama10 Music11 Agora12 Art & Design

A particular design challenge was the integration of enhanced community facilities in a way which benefited the school without compromising security. The assembly hall can revert to a fully functioning community theatre while the sports hall was increased to 810m2 and supplemented by an integral youth club annex. In addition, adult learning can be delivered by dedicated technology and IT suites. All these facilities are accessible outside school hours, which embodies the ‘school within the community’ ethos championed by BELB.

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AmeyFMPStrategic Partner

“Achieving the final solution for the Design & Build of the Boys’ Model was instrumental in helping AmeyFMP achieve the overall success of the Phase 1 schools. Every piece of furniture, every colour detail, every room configuration was carefully and diligently developed to meet the specific needs of the pupils and teaching staff. On behalf of AmeyFMP, I would like to wish all the staff, pupils and wider community every success.” Damien Toner, AmeyFMP General Manager

AmeyFMP is a consortium led by Amey which comprises of 3 Contractors namely Farrans, H&J Martin and the Patton Group chosen by the Belfast Education and Library Board (BELB) as their strategic partners in delivering a new educational vision for the 21st Century.

The official opening of Belfast Boys’ Model marks the completion of the final school in Phase 1 of the Belfast Schools Strategic Partnership and it stands as a testament to the added value gained through true collaboration.

AmeyFMP recognised the challenge in delivering the new facility within a limited site area to the rear of the existing school which remained fully operational during construction.

By selecting Farrans as the Contractor & supplementing their expertise with key specialist advice, AmeyFMP formulated a plan which ensured success. It captured efficiency savings which allowed the budget to be reallocated towards significant enhancements. This ambitious plan was agreed with both

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BELB and the school who immediately recognised that working in close collaboration resulted in added value.

The result was a magnificent new school, incorporating state-of-the art facilities delivered ahead of programme and with minimal disruption to the pupils and teaching staff. In addition to this remarkable achievement, the new facilities will be managed and maintained by Amey for the next 25 years; thus ensuring the quality delivered at completion is continued long into the future.

Find out more: visit www.nicommunityschools.org

or call us on 028 9043 6688

“Artemis supports the community through letting the school facilities for arts, sport and learning initiatives, reinvesting the surpluses back into the community. The recent theatre production, ‘The Boat Factory’ is an example of how Artemis connects people with places and spaces, one of the many ways of bringing to fruition the Artemis mission of ‘maximising the use of school facilities for community benefit’.”Peter Dornan, Social Enterprise Manager, Amey

Belfast Boys’ Model School is a new dynamic building with well-equipped, adaptable facilities. These facilities were enhanced by the additional funding made available to the DE from other government departments, along with Big Lottery Funding to enable community use. AmeyFMP ensures the school enhances its links to the community with the help of its partner Artemis.

Artemis is an independent social enterprise charity, made possible through the generous sponsorship and support of AmeyFMP. Its day-to-day

operations are the result of effective collaboration between AmeyFMP, BELB, and the school, together with the North Belfast City Learning Centre.

Artemis also operates in Belfast Model School for Girls, Ashfield Girls’ High School, Grosvenor Grammar School and Orangefield Primary, to offer a wide range of facilities at great value prices. These facilities include: enhanced sports halls, theatre and dance studios, outdoor synthetic hockey / football pitches, adult learning classrooms and hair / beauty training salons.

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“The new sports hall is massive with better daylight than the old one”Dean Cromie, 13D

“It’s really good having our own running track and 3G pitch at Mount Pleasant” Alex Harbinson, 11A2

“The best bits about the new school are the interactive boards in every room” Jordan McComb, 10A1

“There is a Media Editing Suite and we get to use things like video cameras & Mac computers” Dylan Elwood, 10A1

“The new equipment and rooms are brilliant - the Art rooms are massive”Dylan Elwood, 10A1

“We have a range of practice rooms & everyone gets the chance to play a musical instrument” Curtis Patrick, Yr 8

Pupils’ Perspective

“Being part of the Boys’ Model over the last 7 years has enabled us to experience a wide range of opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom. In our last year, we have been privileged to enjoy the superb new facilities such as the fitness suite and the Sixth Form Centre.”Chris Bunting (Head Boy) & Adam Wright (Deputy Head Boy)

The TeamClient: Amey BSP PFI Co. Limited

End User: Belfast Boys’ Model School, (Belfast Education & Library Board)

Architect: McAdam Design Martin Hare - Project Director

Chris Cheater - Project ArchitectStructural: Mott MacDonald

Mech & Elec: Caldwell ConsultingLandscape Architect: MWA Partnership

CDM Co-ordinator: McAdam DesignMain Contractor: Farrans Construction

FM: Amey Built Environment

www.mcadamdesign.co.uk