Michael House School has existed since 1934, serving not only past and present pupils, but also the local community with its various communal festivals, projects, and outreaches, encouraging a strong sense of community within the children and families presently and previously attending the school. The buildings and site owned by the school since 1977 are of historical interest, having previously been owned by the colliery as part of the once-thriving mining industry that shaped this area. It is also an area of tranquillity, backing onto Shipley Country Park with many eco-friendly nature projects to protect and encourage wildlife.

As a consequence of the recently announced closure of Michael House School, the site and buildings must be sold: If they are sold off to the highest bidder for the most profit, the buildings will no longer be available to the community, and could be destroyed to make way for more residential development. It would be a tragedy if the buildings and site of Michael House School were no longer accessible to the wider community, or were destroyed in the name of commerce.

This proposal is that the buildings and site be purchased to be preserved and transformed into a new community venture, as a community centre accessible and available to all.
A similar venture has been successfully achieved by the Strutts Community Project, in Belper. There, the former school was transformed into a community centre, run by locals for the benefit of the community, and is now a thriving self-sustaining venture, serving the local population with a variety of activities. A similar venture could be achieved at the site of Michael House School, serving the local communities of Shipley, Ilkeston, Heanor, Langley Mill, and further afield.

Much of the local area (such as the former site of the The American Adventure theme-park) has been earmarked for new housing developments. New properties will lead to a larger local population, and an increased need for community spaces, which could be met by the buildings and site of Michael House School. In addition, there is a large proportion of elderly residents in the nearby area (with Shipley Hall Nursing Home right next door to the school premises). The school buildings could be facilitated to accommodate activities suitable for the older generation.

Many of the school buildings are already fit-for-purpose as community areas. Some of the school property is in need of renovation, which could be achieved through long-term plans to transform the area into a thriving community project, serving the local area and further afield.

Because this project would benefit the wider community, there is potential that it may be eligible for Lottery Funding, or could be funded by the local council. The site may even be of interest to historical organisations such as English Heritage. There is the potential to investigate the possibility of funding from various sources, if the idea can gain enough support to purchase the premises.

Potential suitable uses for the site could function throughout the week and weekends, daytime and evening, all year round, resulting in a profitable, self-sustaining venture benefiting many locals. Ideas for suitable uses for the site include (but are not limited to) the following. Many local residents have already expressed an interest in these activities:

• Café/Tea-rooms. Backing onto Shipley Country Park, there are many walkers and visitors to the area, who would benefit from refreshments.
• Nursery School/Créche. The existing nursery school and parent/toddler group associated with the school was already a successful and thriving resource used by many families, who will keenly feel its loss as a result of the school's closure. There will be an increased need for childcare as a result.
• Educational Purposes. The school is obviously fit-for-purpose for educational purposes, with classrooms already kitted out for teaching. The classrooms could be hired out to groups or individuals of any age-group to teach any academic subject. (Languages, Arts, English, Maths, Science. The list is endless).
• Sports. With two indoor halls, and a large recreational outdoor area, the site would be an ideal host for various individual or team sports, as well as group classes (such as yoga, keep-fit, or dance classes for all generations).
• Performing Arts. There is a purpose built stage, and plenty of rehearsal space. This could be used for summer schools for local children, or regular performing arts classes.
• Music. Many of the rooms would be suitable for private or group music lessons. Due to the location of the school, it would also be a suitable venue for noisier activities such as a drumming circle, without disturbing neighbours or receiving noise complaints.
• Wedding/Party Venue. The site could be hired out for social purposes such as weddings or parties, as there is plenty of space to accommodate larger numbers.
• Cubs, Scouts, Brownies, Guides, etc. The site would be an ideal meeting place for organisations such as these. There are also outbuildings where club belongings could be stored.
• Gardening/Forest School. Many of the outdoor areas have already been cultivated by the schoolchildren. These areas could be managed as part of a community horticultural project, encouraging wildlife and an understanding of nature.
• Woodwork/Metalwork. Many of the workshops could be used for courses in practical subjects such as metalwork and woodwork, where there is ample space for larger equipment.
• Arts. Many of the larger or smaller areas of the school as well as much of the outdoor area (weather permitting) would be suitable to host painting courses, or crafting sessions, suitable for all age ranges, including the elderly.
• Well-being Centre. Michael House School has connections with the Weleda Institute, in Ilkeston. There is a strong belief within the local community in the benefits of holistic healing for the body and mind. Many of the areas of the building would be suitable for meditation or group teachings in this area.
• Mining Museum. The site was originally part of the colliery, and many mining artefacts remain on site. An area of the site could be renovated to create a mining museum, showcasing the history of the area and the building itself. There is potential this could perhaps be established in conjunction with the Erewash Museum in Ilkeston, or the Visitors Centre at Shipley Country Park. An alliance could be sought, which would be of historical and educational value not only to locals, but potentially to tourists as well. The American Adventure theme-park used to attract tourism to the local area, but there is very little of interest to tourists since its closure.

There are many potential uses for the land and buildings benefiting our wider local community and preserving the wildlife on site. There is already a great deal of residential development in the area, but this site should be saved for its historical and communal worth over and above its financial value.