Week 12 - Year 11's needed to select furniture!!

This week has been significant in the build as the walls are being put in place and yesterday the window spaces were evident on the ground floor overlooking the astro turf. To see these appearing, made the shell/ skeleton of the building really look to be taking on its final shape and looking like the building it will become. We have also had more press interest and interviews to chart the buildings remarkable progress.

We continue our discussions and research into the furnishings of the Sixth Form block. We want to have a range of flexible learning options for the sixth form and also we aim to ensure the place looks modern and appealing. The Headteacher has suggested that we can offer to take some Year 11 students to select some furniture for the Sixth Form common room and study areas. I would like to request that any Year 11's who would like to be part of the selection committee should register their interest with me asap as there will only be limited spaces for this.

The PATHWAYS ADVICE evening will be held on WEDNESDAY 12th JANUARY 2011, 6-7 pm in the L2L centre. Connexions will be in attendance and this will be a 'drop in ' session to offer individual advice / guidance.

Week 11- the walls start to arrive.

I have had more questions about the pathways / options and a request for guidance on students choosing their options for next year. Choosing the right courses is an individual 1:1 discussion and I would like to reiterate that I am more than happy to speak to students and discuss their future plans and amibitions and help guide in making appropriate choices. Students can book appointments with me during the school day and I am also available after school if parents would like to attend this meeting.

I will also plan to run an information evening / session in early January so that prospective students and their parents can 'drop in' for further clarification /guidance. I will also arrange for Connexions to be in attendance. More details to follow in due course.

The building continues apace. The plant room blockwork is completed and the metal stud work walling is being created. The first floor structure is also in place and I heard this morning that the roof is being delivered today. The masterly organisation of this building project never ceases to amaze me and I am now able to see where my office will be. I am also looking at the options for furniture for the flexible learning spaces that we will have in the sixth form centre. In addition the facilities department is planning for the signs that will be over the entrance to the block and also around the site. Another week passes - and we move another step towards the opening.

Week 10 - applications arrive!

Following the Open Evening it was a delight to start to receive applications from prospective students and to be able start to plan the timetable and KS5 options. Every week brings a new development and takes us a step closer to the opening.

It is also good to see that we have had so many hits on the blog and that it is now starting to be used to communicate and publicise important information, questions and comments. It is very important that prospective students and parents are able to have ands use this forum as it can be accessed easily and readily. I will continue to use the blog to keep everybody up to date with developments and progress.

The building work continues to be on schedule for an early July completion. I meet regularly with Mr James Batty, the Project Manager, whose oversight and determination with the build is impressive. Every day I see from my classroom the building taking shape and it is wonderful to see this evolution.

I am also currently canvassing Year 11 students about the preferred design for the KS5 student planner which I will be finalising soon. These details are significant in that they mark clarity and purpose.

The pathways

Just to confirm, there is some flexibility in the Pathways - so Please do put your preferred options / choices and these will be collated. I would suggest you let me know as soon as possible as it will be easier to facilitate the earlier we know. However, I do need to state that late applications will not have the flexibility.

Week 9 - The Open evening

The Sixth Form Open evening last night was another significant landmark in the creation of the Sixth Form. It was my 15th Sixth Form Open evening but it was the one that I have been most excited about as it will ensure an educational opportunity for many students that is forward thinking, innovative and needed.

The evening was a resounding success as it was extremely well attended by students from all over Oxfordshire as well as from our own school. The start of the evening heralded queues of prospective students and their parents waiting to come in and the atmosphere in the sports hall was fantastic. It was a joy to be part of a school that is so enthused by the future plans we have for the sixth form and all the subjects were inundated, and at times overwhelmed, with lines of interested students.

The presentation in the performance hall was, quite simply, packed. We had to bring in scores of extra chairs to accommodate everybody and the reception by the audience was wonderful. It was also a joy to see parents, students and staff exploring potential courses together and beginning to make some important decisions about the future.

The build continues apace. The high levels of wind made it unsafe to have tours of the building but the floodlit building work was stunning. The ground and first floor are nearly completed and the 2 staircases are impressive to behold. Each week the progress is evidenced and takes us closer to the completion and fruition of over 5 years of planning.