Summer Works at Sherrardswood School 

Exciting changes are taking place at Sherrardswood School over the holidays. Following parent and student feedback about several of the areas of the school that needed improvement, I am delighted to say that we have undertaken some fairly major refurbishment, relocations and building projects over the summer holidays.

In order to accommodate our increasing numbers we have designed a brand new dining space. The New Dining Room is a conversion/extension of the old Junior ICT suite, extending out into the nursery car park.
In order to alleviate the pressures on parking generally, we have opened up an additional parking area by the Stone Dog. Darryn, our site manager, has demarcated parking places so it is clear where the spaces are and I trust that this will make drop off and pick up a little easier for all.

Pre-School and Nursery have moved into the Lockleys building and are now housed in a beautiful, light and airy space where the dining room was previously situated. This has been designed to be a cosy and welcoming area, full of exciting new learning resources, to welcome our youngest students into the Sherrardswood School community. Year One are also to be housed in a newly constructed classroom in this area. The Early Years students will also have a brand new play area outside with protective flooring and some lovely new toys.

Year Six have moved into the previous Pre-School building. We have raised the whiteboards to an adult height and fitted out the classrooms as a modern space conducive to their preparation for Seniors. The Year Six students now have access to their own patio area and the Prep playground has been significantly increased in size by removal of the fencing that previously divided the older children from the Pre-School students, as the little ones have now moved into the main building.

Year Three have moved into the old Year One classroom and Year Four have relocated into the old Year Three classroom, next to the Ballroom. Mrs Nolan now has an additional teaching space in which she and her team can offer support to students across the school.

The Prep Staff Room has been completely gutted, refloored and a new kitchen area has been installed. The Prep loos and changing rooms have also been deep cleaned and remodelled to modernise them and make them a far more pleasant environment for the children.

The mobiles have been painted ‘Country Cream’ and the roofing has been mended.

Mr Dalal has a new Business and Enterprise Centre to accommodate his growing department. Business Studies, Economics and Accounting will be relocating from the mobiles to the old Year Six block.

Finally, Mrs Green’s office has been moved to a more prominent place in the front entrance, taking over Dr Bernhardt’s old room. Mr Self’s, Head of Prep, office will be accessible via Mrs Green’s new room.

We are certain that these changes will improve everyone’s daily experience providing new, bespoke teaching and learning spaces and a better flow around Sherrardswood school. I am very proud and excited to have been able to implement the developments so quickly and would like to thank all the governors for authorising the works and Mr Chapman particularly, for providing such a huge amount of guidance and support with the design, implementation and management of the projects.

You can see updates and photographs before the start of the next academic year as the work progresses.