Central to the school’s vision of being a leading learning community, our new Science, Music, Drama and Debating Centre will celebrate science and the arts in an inspiring, cross-curricular environment.
Future Plans
What can we expect from the new centre?
Dr Will Dixon“The number of students choosing STEM subjects at A Level continues to increase alongside the number of those going on to study these subjects at university. These facilities build on that commitment to engaging girls in STEM in the classroom and beyond.
Head of Science
Where are we now?
Senior School
Science lessons continue to be taught in the astro-centre which features high quality, bright, well-resourced laboratories, designed to meet the needs of our students in these popular and critical academic subjects.
Junior School
Our exciting new adventure playground has already been built and the Junior School façade has now been transformed.
In recent months we have seen the structure take shape.We reached a construction milestone at the end of September 2020, as the new building ‘topped out’, the point at which the building reached its highest point during construction.
Internal fit-out of heating, cooling and ventilation systems and electrics and pipe runs are currently taking place. Over the coming months we will see the brick work and windows beginning to appear and some initial landscaping works externally, whilst internal partitions, flooring and ceilings are also completed ready for decoration before the new furniture, fixtures and fittings are introduced.
Work to the outside of the centre is expected to finish in the autumn term, when the new development should be totally complete.
What happens next?
We are pleased and relieved that the project has continued despite the Covid-19 crisis. That said, the pandemic has understandably changed the way in which our contractors are operating, to ensure that they are safe and responsible on site.
- The centre is now expected to welcome its first pupils in autumn 2021.
- The temporary accommodation is scheduled to be removed shortly after opening so that the outdoor space can once again be enjoyed by pupils for sport and during break and lunchtimes.
- By autumn 2021 the project will be complete with pupils enjoying all of the new facilities including science labs, music teaching and rehearsal spaces, drama rooms and the Forum debating area, as well as the new-look cafeteria.
Throughout the project, our priority has been, and will continue to be, the wellbeing and education of our current pupils as well as ensuring that we are a good neighbour. We will use our considerable experience of managing building works to ensure minimal disruption to our pupils, including isolating the site to limit dust and noise. All work is being carefully scheduled, including avoiding examination times.
There will of course be further updates as the project develops.
Watch the progress of our new Science, Music, Drama and Debating Centre