New Stonehenge School facilities helping deliver education pupils deserve
The school is approaching the end of it's first term in the new school block
The headteacher of Amesbury's Stonehenge school has told us they now have the tools to deliver an education students deserve, as the school comes to the end of it's first term with new facilities.
Earlier this year, the second phase of the school's redevelopment was completed in time for the beginning of the current school year (2023/24).
The construction of a new block containing a school hall, drama studio, fitness suit, music classrooms and changing rooms, which cost £6m and was funde by Wiltshire Council, has replaced the old lower school block, which will be converted into a Sport England standard playing field.
Headteacher Carole Dean said: "It's really satisfying to see that our children the facilities that they deserve and that allow us to deliver the curriculum that they are enthusiastic about, and that allows them to go wherever they want to within their future lives."
The new, modern facilities have attended several issues that were present in the old school, one of which being supervision of the students, with the new spaces open, allowing staff to observe students moving around the school more effectively.
Classrooms are now safer, with old ones having leaks in the PE or ICT areas.
And with school facilities that are 'fit for purpose', Mrs Dean feels children are able to enjoy their school experience more.
"It makes them feel more invested in and I think therefore they put more energy into their education, because they think 'if this is how amazing our rooms are, then we should increase our effort'."
We spoke to some of the students, with one commenting that he enjoyed the more modern feel of the school and that the equipment was much better. Another student praised the lecture hall, saying it's "a lot nicer and easier to do things."
The school have already made use of the drama studio and school hall by putting on a performance of the musical 'Matilda'.
Asked if the new facilities had brought more pressure on her and the staff, Mrs Dean said they were now enabled by them, rather than pressurised.
"You feel under pressure at all times in education," she said, "I would say that actually what it's allowed us to now is have what we needed to support the progress of the pupils."