Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been an exceptionally busy start to the new academic year and I am pleased to share several positive developments regarding our school site with you.
Next week we will take delivery of a brand new, bespoke multifunctional temporary building which will be located on our school yard for the purposes of examinations, assemblies and also as additional classroom buildings if required. This is to compensate for the temporary loss of our Main Hall which has recently been damaged during the recent adverse weather that has affected a number of schools and premises across the city. Work will continue on renovating the damaged Main Assembly Hall in coming months.
During the positioning of the new buildings onto the yard, the associated fire evacuation routes of other parts of the school will be compromised due to the amount of machinery on site. Access to the four storey teaching block, the dining areas and the Technology block will also be restricted at this time. On health and safety grounds it is therefore necessary to close the school on Thursday 24th October 2019 in order to resume normal business as usual, after the half term holiday, on Monday 4th November. This half-term will, therefore, finish on Wednesday 23rd October at 3pm.
The Year 11 Parents' Evening will continue as calendared for 3.50pm - 6.30pm on Thursday 24th October. We are looking forward to discussing progress and preparations for the external examinations with parents of pupils in this year group. The Parents' Evening will take in the school gymnasium, which will be signposted on entry to the school.
The school will also be closed on Friday 25th October for INSET training as already outlined in the published school calendar.
Following the half-term break, pupils will also benefit from a brand new canopy and walkway connecting the main block, diners and the Technology block, this improving the route between lessons and also providing a popular, sheltered outdoor space for use at lunchtimes, with covered picnic tables within it. This element of work is part of the school's ongoing programme of upgrades to the site.
School will be open as normal on Monday 4th November 2019. On behalf of the staff and governors of may I take this opportunity to wish you and your families a pleasant half term holiday; we look forward to welcoming back our pupils for the second part of the term.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs E Pole
Headteacher