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£16m school heralds bright new beginning
IT was the start of a new era for hundreds of Peterborough pupils yesterday when they sat down to lessons in a just completed £16 million school.
IT was the start of a new era for hundreds of Peterborough pupils yesterday when they sat down to lessons in a just completed 16 million school.The 1,030 pupils of the St John Fisher Catholic High School have spent the last two years in the former Hereward College buildings in Reeves Way, while the original school buildings, in Park Lane, underwent a dramatic transformation.
And to mark the completion of the construction works there was a new uniform for the pupils and a new name for the school, which was previously known as St John Fisher Roman Catholic School.
Fittingly, the transformed school threw open its doors for the first time to pupils on Ash Wednesday, the Christian day that signals the start of lent and new beginnings.
Headteacher Sean Hayes gave The Evening Telegraph an exclusive tour of the new campus and said the once troubled school hoped to use the move as a "springboard to success".
Mr Hayes said: "We began the day with Ash Wednesday services which seems a very apt way to embrace the new school.
"I think we have received fantastic value for money and we know we can put the pride back into the school.
"We want to make sure the pupils are part of it and inject the feelgood factor into their education."
The school had spent two wilderness years in the former Hereward College buildings and only just survived being put into special measures before the school began its turnaround six months ago.
Now the modern and quirky buildings have transformed the site and pupils were given tours just before half-term to get a feel for the new layout, as even old buildings have been altered beyond all recognition.
Moves such as re-branding the old Tudor Rose logo to a more colourful image chosen by all the pupils and a brand new school tie also indicate the start of a new era.
Mr Hayes added: "At the end of the day, it's all about the children. The difference in the atmosphere now they are here taking advantage of the new facilities has been amazing."
The school's new wooden sports hall was even constructed out of a flat pack in just three weeks.
And the school's eco-credentials are also writ large with underfloor heating and its own mini wind turbine.
There is also a new floodlit sports pitch and a new chapel.
And the new school has been given the thumbs-up from the pupils.
Sixth-former Clive Sheridan (16) said he felt very proud walking through the school gates this morning.
He said: "I was shocked at how it has been transformed into such a fantastic environment.
"It's a nice design, and the fact it is split into four distinct buildings has made it more spacious."
And Year 11 pupil Thomas Allan (15) said he couldn't wait to use the new sports hall. The keen hockey player added: "It's really nice, and I had no idea what to expect.
"The electronic scoreboard is cool in the sports hall and it's great to come to school in a nice, clean environment,"
Mr Hayes added: "We do have a lot of work to do, but we had a good Ofsted report last week and we are hoping that this opening will continue the roll we are on. The only way is up.”
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