Above: The site of the new building, in Upper Ventnor, backing onto the Downs
We’re looking forward to working closely with local businesses and residents, as the exciting plans for our new school in Upper Ventnor begin to take shape. The Governors and Headmaster have been in touch with all the ten building contractors on an approved list supplied by the Department for Education and Secretary of State – and there’s an allocated £10.5m budget to work with. Over the next few months, the senior team will be interviewing the contractors and choosing an appropriate design for the building, which will be no higher than two storeys, to fit in with the local landscape. We plan to select a contractor and then finalise plans in the Autumn.
He adds: “Our contractor will use the same modern pre-fabricated technology, that’s quick to put up, high quality, and cost-effective. The grounds will be enhanced by interesting planting and a grassy nature area. As soon as we have gone through the process of selecting a contractor, then we will share our ideas with the local community and welcome comments. In the meantime if anyone would like to discuss this with us, then please do get in touch.”
Our school, which was oversubscribed, opens in September 2014 to the first intake of Year 7 students. We will start off in our beautiful temporary home, in Leeson Road in Lower Ventnor (where St Francis used to be based). £1m of ICT equipment has been installed by Centerprise which will be transferred to the new site in due course.
Meanwhile, our purpose built school will be constructed in two stages. By September 2015, the first phase will be completed and all staff and students will move in. We anticipate that the second phase will be finished shortly afterwards, in December 2015.
“We welcome comments from the local community”
Mr Boyd, Headmaster
We have taken over the running of the Rew Valley Sports Centre, almost opposite the new site, so that our students will have unrivalled, outstanding sports facilities, which we will also share with St Francis and the local community.
Everything is now in place for the school to continue to evolve, in accordance with our detailed plans and following extensive consultation with the local community. We were recently subject to a pre-opening Ofsted inspection, which we passed – with no reservations – giving us the final green light. Says Mr Boyd: “The Inspector had a 42 page checklist – and we were ahead of where we should be on every single measure, which we’re delighted about. Now we can’t wait to open in September!”
Timeline
Now – Autumn 2014: We will select a contractor and design for our new building in Upper Ventnor. We will share our plans with the local community and IOW Council, and invite feedback.
September 2014: The school will open to our first Year 7 intake at our temporary site in Leeson Road, Lower Ventnor.
December 2014: Work will start on the new building. Our chosen contractors will follow guidance set out in the Considerate Constructors’ Scheme so that residents experience minimal disruption.
August 2015: Phase 1 of the building will be completed in Upper Ventnor.
September 2015: We will move into our new site on Newport Road. Meanwhile, work will continue on Phase 2 (that will not disrupt the running of the school).
December 2015: Phase 2 will finish and the new school will be fully completed.
