The first ever Biodome opening in the North East took place at St. Mary’s School, Newton Aycliffe and Newton News were on hand to cover the event.

The school were delighted to announce the opening date of the Biodome which took place on Tuesday 9th July at 1.00pm, Celebrity Joe Swift also joined us on the day.

The Biodome, which is the first in the North East of England, is something that ITEC are incredibly proud to be supporting. The benefits it will have not only on the learners at the school, but for the whole of the surrounding area of Newton Aycliffe is massive. The vision for the Biodome is to give students the opportunity to grow fresh produce and sell the produce to the parents as well as using the products in the kitchens at the school.

ITEC North East has been trying to find ways to benefit the local community for many years now, and once the opportunity to help St. Mary’s with their Biodome dream came up, they simply couldn’t pass on it.

The 20ft Biodome greenhouse has a fully automated tropical ecosystem that will last for 10 to 15 years and is supplied with an integrated solar panel, hydroponics system, internal computer, weather monitoring system and an automated temperature control.

It also creates a unique outside learning space for 32 pupils and is fully wheelchair accessible. It is hoped that the Biodome will provides astonishing amounts of produce for the school kitchen, teaches children about sustainability, healthy eating, renewable energy and where food comes from.

Please see below statements from companies who have supported St Marys school with the Biodome.

St Marys School
The Biodome was high on the list of all staff. The school has invested a great deal of time and money into developing gardening in the school. We have a therapeutic gardening club for children who require additional nurturing for a variety of social and emotional issues.
St Mary’s has been awarded ‘Centre of Excellence’ for Inclusion of children and families with needs. To reach the next level of ‘Flagship’ status we are required to go out into the community and share good practice. Given the limitless possibilities a Biodome would open up to us we believe we should be able to cover a number of targets quickly, efficiently and increased impact.

ITEC North East
ITEC North East have celebrated over 35 years of educational excellence, delivering a portfolio of vocational (via apprenticeships) and classroom based study across several occupational sectors. We are a not for profit, inspiring and independent training provider with registered charitable status.
Established in Newton Aycliffe, we now operate from four training centres – Newton Aycliffe, Middlesbrough, Gateshead & Hartlepool. Rated good by OFSTED, we are recognised as delivering good quality provision across the region.
ITEC NE are incredibly proud to be supporting  The Biodome, which is the first of its kind  in the North East of England. For ITEC it is a first and ideal opportunity to broaden our reach and ‘impact’ in a positive way throughout the local and regional communities. (attached a flyer which outlines the Biodome which lasts 10-15 years).
We believe this is a fantastic legacy for ITEC, as the impact could potentially run through generations of children at St Mary’s, the local community and local businesses who would have a workforce both able and engaged in science and technology.

Palram
Palram DPL, based on Newton Aycliffe Industrial Park, were delighted to be invited to support St Mary’s school with the Bio-Dome and have donated and fitted 3 green walls and 4 planters, all produced with DPL’s PVC product.
Palram DPL have enjoyed working with St Mary’s developing the design of the green walls and are looking forward to returning when the vegetables and fruits have blossomed.
90% of Palram DPL’s employees live within a 3 mile radius of Newton Aycliffe which is why we are so passionate about getting involved with voluntary work and donations within the community.
For over 50 years, Palram has been a global leader in manufacturing extruded thermoplastic sheets and panel systems. This production and application experience is expressed in an extensive product offering that includes architectural panel systems and finished consumer products for professionals and end users.

E2e Total Loss Vehicle Management
“Upon learning that ITEC were seeking donations to support the opening of St Mary’s Biodome, we were very keen to get involved and contribute to this great initiative.
E2e donated £500 towards the products for the Biodome, with this money they bought fruit and veg plants, wild plants, compost, hanging baskets, fruit trees, flowers and much more.
Formerly known as National Salvage, e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management is the UK’s largest collective vehicle salvage operator, delivering market leading salvage and recycling services via over 50 authorised treatment facilities situated throughout the UK. We offer a seamless end-to-end total loss vehicle management service and are committed to outperforming the market when it comes to customer experience and protecting the environment.
With the company’s Head Office being based in Darlington for almost 30 years, we are very proud to be a part of the opening of our region’s first ever Biodome and are delighted to be able to support the local community.

Aycliffe Fabrications
Aycliffe Fabrications is a well-established metal fabrication company based on Aycliffe Business Park. We specialise in mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium and Cor-ten. We work in many sectors including schools, councils, hospitals and industry and we also offer a maintenance service for metal products. We have recently invested in a CNC plasma machine which has enabled us to make the ‘Tree of Life’ for St. Mary’s School.
Sadie is a pupil at St. Mary’s and she is the daughter of two members of our team – Katie (Business Manager) and John (Senior Tradesman). Sadie and Katie have been working on the garden and in the Biodome as part of the School Gardening Club. We have donated the stainless steel ‘Tree of Life’ to the school as it links steel, gardening, faith and education and we hope the school can enjoy it for many years to come.

Thinford Nurseries
Thinford Nurseries are happy to support St Marys School with their projects, we have worked with St Marys for some time now and always support with their gardening projects. With the Biodome project we have supported them with seeds to plant, seeds such as flowers, fruit and vegetables.
Thinford Nurseries is a family owned and run nursery, with over 20 years’ experience of producing Plants, Hanging Baskets and Shrubs to the local public and councils.

The Skill Mill
The Skill Mill, are an international social enterprise providing employment for young offenders in watercourse and horticulture services. Skill Mill have been working closely with the school to preparing the groundworks ready for the open day.