New school building will open on Monday

Students had an extended half-term while staff joined the removals men to transfer everything from the old site in Down Road.

At 7.30am on Monday the first ribbon will be cut by pupils to mark the opening of a new era for education in Bexhill.

Executive Principal Mike Conn said: “It’s an amazing feeling, so much hard work by so many people to bring a new school to Bexhill for our young people.

“There are very few state schools - if any - across the country which can offer the facilities we will be opening up for them.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our pupils. The opportunities now available to them in the new building are just amazing.”

The opening ceremonies will be low key because Mike wants the pupils “to be in there first - it’s their school.”

He added: “I thought it was only right that the pupils should see it all first. So next week we have invited parents in after 5pm for organised and conducted tours. We have asked that the parents or carers must be accompanied by their child as well.

“I am sure the parents and carers will see where I am coming from. I just want it to be special for our young people.”

With the new building comes change for Bexhill High staff and pupils:

- The school day will run from 8.30am until 5pm

- Lessons will last for three hours

- Breaks will be decided by teachers and pupils

- There will be up to 90 pupils per class taught by a team of teachers

- The building will have a large atrium in the centre and ‘learning communities’ in pods around the outside

- Pupils will remain in the same area throughout the day, while teachers move around.

- 40 percent of the curriculum will be devoted to Discoveries, to include science, technology and maths; 40 percent to Culture and Communication, being English, modern languages and humanities; and 20 percent to Wellbeing, incorporating arts and sports.

Mike commented: “We accept that there is going to be a period of re-adjustment, a period of change, but the focus will be on the child’s learning.

“There has been some controversy around some of the issues, in particular the length of the school day, but we are now at a stage where everything is becoming reality.

“I urge everyone to get behind this new school and what it stands for.”

Mike accepts that a new premises doesn’t change overnight standards of education and the quality of teaching and learning.

“It has been well documented that a mini-OFSTED inspection earlier this year produced some very disappointing results,” he said.

“What that did do though was to bring about a period of change and improvement, very quick improvement, which was reflected in our GCSE exam results in August.

“I have re-assured parents and the community, and continue to do so, that the standard of education at Bexhill High meets the needs of our students.

“It can still better though, and all our staff are aware of that. The new site is just part of that very important jigsaw.”

Other new features of the school include: astroturf surface for football training, theatre, cinema and even a cardiovascular room, and many of these facilities will be soon open to the public for hire.

Mike concluded: “Monday is the big day, but in reality once school starts it should be like any other day, quality teaching and quality learning.

“It will probably just feel like you do when you move house, a bit strange for the first few days and needs some getting used to.

“But let’s remember. It is innovative, it is transformational, and it is something we were able to design from scratch.

“Monday November 8 will go down as a day to remember in the education of the young people in our community.”