Further to previous communications, I am writing to let you know about the arrangements for the building work to extend the key stage two part of the building. I am very excited to announce that this work is to go ahead this year as we hoped.

 

Of course, as a result of this work, there is likely to be some disruption although given the timeframe of the program, disruptions are likely to be as minimal as we possibly could have hoped, which is great news. Work on the building is set to commence just before the Easter holidays and the contractors will be on site starting work externally for the first few weeks. This means that a portion of the key stage two playground will be taken up by contractors which will reduce children’s play space.

 

Fortunately, as it will be the summer term we are intending to ensure that for the whole of the summer term the children are able to use the field, so we don’t anticipate that this will be a major issue. From after the May half term onwards, we will have to temporarily displace some classes. We have had to give very careful consideration to which class is the best class to displace, and we have made the decision that year 4 will undertake their learning through the summer term in community centre, who have very kindly agreed to let this space to the school for the duration of the work. This will be facilitated by having our interactive whiteboard mounted on wheels so that this can be used in the community centre and there is also adequate display space for the working walls. The size and shape is actually preferable to the class’ current space, so I don’t perceive that this change will impact the children’s learning in any way.

 

We will be giving careful consideration to all matters relating to health and safety and make sure that if there are any perceivable issues that we ensure we address these prior to the class moving in. Year 4 will be taught in the community centre of the duration of the second half of the summer term and Year six pupils will be educated in the classroom currently occupied by Year 4. The Year 6 classroom will be the only classroom being worked on during school term time. The plan is that all of the rest of the work will take place during the school holidays.

 

Between now and the Easter break we are revising our school evacuation plans so that if there was an emergency everyone is really clear on the process and we will be discussing this with the children over the course of the next few weeks. We will then do the same prior to the half term break, when Year 4 will move into the community centre. I am very excited to say that the building works are scheduled to be complete by the end of the holidays and that all of our classrooms in key stage 2 will be significantly larger in time for the autumn term. I am so looking forward to a ‘big reveal’ event, once all the work is completed!