Photo: Preliminary design concept

As part of the School’s ongoing commitment to providing an environment which replicates modern spaces for teaching and learning, we are pleased to unveil our plans to renovate the Sixth Form Common Room and Sixth Form Café to provide a light, modern hub inspired by current interior trends in the wider world.

Mrs Gibson (Headmistress) said: “Over the last 18 months of the pandemic, we have put all of our planned renovation projects on hold. We now feel the time is right to look forward and continue with our strategy; this is the first project in a staged approach to continual improvement of our school site. The Sixth Form Common Room has not been renovated for the last ten years and it gets very heavy use, it is definitely time for a refresh.”

Our Sixth Formers are preparing for the wider world of university and work: they are given more independence and freedom to manage their own time and work in different ways, in different spaces. As the formality of the working world continues to dissolve, the vision is to replicate the type of spaces they will use in their careers and at university; being used to these environments will help put them at ease as they move beyond school. The renovations to the Common Room will create a tranquil hub where workstations will sit alongside hang-out zones, creating a calm environment for individual work, collaboration and socialising. 

A group of Sixth Form students were involved in the initial consultation brief with the architects, which helped develop the concept plans. Moving forward Sixth Form and Year 11 students will have the opportunity to participate in the next stage to make sure the space suits their needs and enhances their time in the Sixth Form. The refreshed rooms will also be used for parent and alumnae events to enable our wider community to benefit from the new spaces.

The School is currently in the process of applying for the appropriate planning and permits. The renovations are currently scheduled to be completed over the summer holidays; fresh and ready for the students to enjoy from September 2022. 

View the preliminary design concepts here.