Much Wenlock's William Brookes School opens after rebuild

William Brookes was one of 706 English secondary schools to get government funding for the rebuild

A mixed comprehensive school in Shropshire has reopened following a £27m rebuilding programme.

William Brookes School in Farley Road, Much Wenlock is the first secondary school in the county to have been entirely rebuilt on the same site.

Building work was funded by Shropshire Council and the government's Building Schools for the Future scheme.

The improvements include solar panels to heat a new 25m swimming pool, a bigger sports hall and new arts centre.

Head teacher Penny Cooper said building work had taken three years.

'Feel guilty'

"It fits into this area particularly well because it's got timber that reflects the rural landscape, it's got Wenlock limestone, it's got bricks made with the clay of the area, it's got black render for the coal.

"It really sits in the landscape and our environment very well, but it's a really modern building at the same time," she said.

The condition of the old school building had not been fit for 21st Century education, she added.

William Brookes School was given central government funding under plans to renovate or rebuild 250 schools per year to replace or renew the country's 3,500 secondaries by 2020.

In July the Education Secretary Michael Gove announced that 719 previously approved school rebuilding schemes would not go ahead.

The Much Wenlock school was one of 706 which were allowed to continue.

Mrs Cooper said: "We were exceptionally lucky and I feel quite guilty sometimes that we were able to do this.

"There was a real need however. I don't think we could have managed much longer.

"This will make a fantastic difference to these young people and I hope that other young people in Shropshire will have that opportunity before too long."