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Learning Centre
To make a donation to this project, click here >>I am delighted to inform you about an exciting building development planned for the school. Almost no sooner than we head towards completion of our new G-Block extension, there are plans for our school to benefit within two years from an entirely new building which is planned to replace the school library. For too many years Bournside has worked hard to overcome some of the inadequacies of ‘temporary’ classrooms, of which we currently have fifteen. Governors have joined forces with the local authority / Gloucestershire County Council and secured nearly £1million to create a visionary new building on the south side of the site close to the science department and tennis/netball area. The money secured is from capital funding sources used exclusively for buildings developments. The building, to be called the Bournside Learning Centre, will offer all students and staff a superb facility which aims to support all taught and extended learning at the school. The Bournside Learning Centre is the first of what we hope is a two phase building development. The second phase, if funding can be found, will be a new classroom block adjacent to the Bournside Learning Centre. The combined development will enable the removal of the majority of our ‘temporary’ classrooms. Part of the plan will be to convert our current library space into classrooms when the Bournside Learning Centre is ready. In addition to normal lesson times, the new facility will be open for student use both before and after school, primarily for independent study. The Learning Centre will offer extensive access to audio and e-books, and a wide variety of interactive multi-media resources will be on hand. Multiple large screens will show news, as well as other educational TV channels, and will also celebrate students’ achievements by showcasing their work. In addition, digital displays will communicate aspects of the life of the school in terms of forthcoming events and opportunities. Wireless technology will enable individual audio selection from the variety of large displays. The Centre will be approaching twice the size of our current library and contain a variety of seating and work areas for individual, group, whole class and combined class work. Students will have extensive use of fixed flat screen computer terminals or may select a PC notebook to use, on their own or in small groups. A refectory facility within the Centre will mean that, other than when students are being formally taught, they will be able to eat and drink from a selection of healthy food options. I am sure you will appreciate that this visionary development will need to respond to the wishes of students and staff in terms of the detail of its resources and organisation. Groups of staff and students have already been discussing and contributing to the thinking of a team of architects who are engaged in the early planning. All being well, the foundations of the new Centre will be laid as soon as the school breaks up for the summer at the end of this academic year, with completion possible within a year from the start. £950,000 is secured so far and we aim for the full £1,000,000 with the support of our community. You will remember me sharing with you the fact of our successful re-designation as a Specialist Arts College. This opens the possibility of a further £25,000 capital funding from the Government’s Department for Children, Schools and Families. All we need to do is raise a further £25,000 ourselves and the Department will release their share! The full million will make the difference to ensure the highest quality state-of-the-art Information and Communications Technology resources for the Centre. This will offer the very best opportunities for your child to supplement and extend his or her learning in years to come. I am indebted to the unswerving support of the school’s wonderful Parents’ Association whose commitment has already set us on our way in terms of raising funds. Our school Business Manager, Alan Hastings, will write to you shortly to outline just how easy it will be for you to make a donation towards the new Bournside Learning Centre. You will be aware since I joined Bournside that we have not asked for donations to a School Fund. I firmly believe that a comprehensive state school such as ours should do its best to provide an excellent education without expecting parents to dip into their pockets. However, this is exceptional. Every pound you feel you can donate will ensure that another from central Government comes our way. I am confident that you will be making a sound investment for years to come in what will be a truly exceptional resource. Thank you so much in anticipation of your support. Allan Foulds To make a donation to this project, click here >> |
