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Yarm School, a leading independent school in the Tees Valley, has developed a series of state-of-the-art, award-winning buildings and school facilities following a multi-million pound funding deal from Santander Corporate & Commercial. The project, which began initially in 2009, will conclude in August 2015 with the completion of an iconic new boathouse and music school – both of which have been directly supported by the funding from Santander.
Yarm School was founded in 1978 when a group of parents formed the Cleveland Independent School Trust and acquired the buildings and grounds of the old Yarm Grammar School site. Since then it has become a major educational success story in the North East and is now established among the country’s leading independent schools. It achieved national prominence in 2012 when ex-pupil Kat Copeland won Olympic Gold.
For the past six years, the school has undergone a £25 million redevelopment programme to build world-class educational, sport and arts facilities for its growing number of students. The school’s new performing arts centre includes the Princess Alexandra Auditorium, for instance, a stunning 800-seat auditorium opened in 2013 by HRH Princess Alexandra which includes a theatre, dance studio and music performance suite.
Yarm School has received national acclaim for the new development from the Royal Institute of British Architects while David Dunn, the school’s Headmaster, addressed the Independent Schools Council at the House of Lords in relation to the development. The funding from Santander Corporate & Commercial has been used to support a range of the school’s developments and new facilities, including the Princess Alexandra Auditorium and the soon-to-be completed new boathouse and music school.
David Dunn, Headmaster at Yarm School, said: “The support from Santander Corporate & Commercial has been instrumental throughout this project. The school has undergone a profound transformation to become one of the UK’s leading educational institutions, and we are all humbled by what has been achieved over the past six years. We will now build on these world-class achievements further and focus on delivering a world-class education for our pupils.”
Ian Massey, Relationship Director, Santander Corporate & Commercial, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be involved in such an incredible project. Whilst a relatively young school, Yarm has become a huge success story both locally and nationally and has quickly become renowned for its academic success and sporting achievements. Santander’s funding has supported the school’s vison of excellence and growth, and the development of the boathouse and music school are tangible extensions of this plan.”
