Dear students,

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news with you! As part of our ongoing commitment to giving you the very best learning experience, work on a brand-new Science extension will begin on Tuesday 27th January 2026.

This new building is a huge step forward for Science at our school. It means modern, well-equipped laboratories designed to be comfortable, inspiring spaces where you can learn, experiment, and succeed. Mr Tugwell and the Science team have been closely involved in designing the new labs, making sure they reflect how you learn best and support your future ambitions.

The new Science extension is due to be completed by 30th October 2026. While the building work is underway, there will be a few temporary and important changes around the site to keep everyone safe.

To help you understand these changes clearly, tutors will be going through all the details with you on Tuesday morning, including maps showing the building designs and the correct fire exit routes. This will give you the chance to see exactly where you should go and ask any questions.

It is important to note:

• The usual exit via the theatre remains the same for students who already use it - there is no change here.
• Fire drill adjustment only applies to students exiting the MFL block and Science Huts who would usually then walk past the 2000 building and the netball courts in order to reach the designated area via the field. These students will now cross over the netball courts with staff supervision onto the field.
• Students in S4/S5 will turn right out of the building and walk past the theatre via the Munchbox onto the field.
• Students may only access the netball courts during a fire drill or emergency and when supervised by staff.
• The current one-way system is unchanged.

Your health and safety are our top priorities, so it’s essential that everyone follows the guidance shared. As with any exciting improvement, there may be some short-term disruption, but this will lead to significant long-term benefits for you and future students.

We are very fortunate as a school to be able to make these improvements, and we really appreciate your cooperation and support as we work towards something that will make Science even better for everyone.

We can’t wait to see what you’ll achieve in your new Science building!
Kind regards,

Miss Mitchem
Deputy Headteacher

We would like to extend our gratitude to all students on the positive way you have adapted to the new one-way system. We have observed an improvement in corridor movement since the start of term. Thank you to all students who have liaised with staff to provide some constructive feedback- we have listened to your feedback and are using it, alongside our own observations, to monitor and, where necessary, review parts of the system. Where changes are introduced, we will communicate this with you via Hubs and tutors.

Please be aware that you may occasionally see staff moving against the one-way system. There are various professional requirements that mean staff cannot always follow the same routes as students—for example, when moving between duties or responding to incidents. While staff will follow the system whenever practical, we ask for your cooperation and understanding when they are required to take an alternative route. We expect all students to respect these professional requirements and ensure that any interactions and conversations about this remain polite and in line with our School Values and Behaviour Policy.

Thank you for your continued cooperation in ensuring our school remains an orderly and safe place to learn.

Dear Students,

We are writing to confirm that the school’s one-way system will remain in place. The one-way system is a necessary measure to ensure safety, manage movement effectively, and support the smooth and orderly running of the school day. As this system has been newly introduced, it must be given sufficient time to operate fully so that we can properly evaluate its effectiveness and identify any areas or staircases that may need refinement.

While students are entitled to express their views, this must always be done in a constructive manner that aligns with our whole-school values and does not bring individuals or the school into disrepute. Please note that the use of social media to amplify concerns does not follow our school social media and behaviour policies.

It is important to understand that some decisions must be made in the wider safety interests of the whole school community and these outweigh matters of  convenience.

Adjustments from Thursday 8th January
The following adjustments will be introduced to the one-way system from Thursday 8th January and will be monitored carefully after this point:

Sixth Form Block
Sixth Form students can enter the Sixth Form block from all of the Sixth Form block outside areas. These will become entrance and exit points. Students should not be exiting the Sixth Form cafe in the direction of the hall; please leave using the other exits.

Reception Staircase
The staircase in Reception will become two-way from the ground floor to the top floor RS. Students can therefore go up and down this staircase. This will also give students access to the Geography corridor without having to go via Bytes. Students must keep left when using this staircase.

RS Corridor
The top floor RS floor will become a two-way corridor.  However, when students are dismissed from lessons, they must turn left out of their classroom and then use the staircase next to the library in order to gain access to the middle or ground floor.

Please note that students can only exit the RS corridor using the staircase by the library.

Ground Floor Room 1
The exit before the wind tunnel next to room 1 can be used if you wish to gain quick access to Nibbles/Bytes via the fenced area that runs alongside the car park. If those doors are closed, you may open them to gain access to outside.

 We will continue to work constructively with students to gather views and experiences to further improve the system for all members of the community.