The steel work is basically one big meccano kit and requires all beams to be positioned and bolted into place. Contractors plan to have several cranes on site to enable this critical part of the build to be completed as quickly as is possible. Work has progressed well despite the weathers best efforts, one of the wettest Novembers on record has not slowed the completion of the foundations and this current cold spell will not affect the completion of the steel work either. October seems a long time ago now however September does not feel that far away! In the next month the school will be running design workshops with our architect to finalise paint schemes and interior designs.

Top-the initial steel work is put into place.

bottom - the view from the top corner of the building adjacent to the existing taylor centre. This is ground level and is one of the small 6th form teaching rooms.

• All electrical cables have been diverted
• School data has been rerouted
• New gas and water pipes have been layed to serve new teaching block and will be connected later in the project
• Water diversion to Butlers Court completed
• Drainage diversion from Taylor Building complete
• Mass excavation and muck away complete which has amounted to approx 5000tonnes of material
• We have imported 700 tonnes of stone to form a hard core base to the ground floor slab
• We have 65 tonnes of slab and wall reinforcement on site of which we have layed around 50% on the first half of the slab which we will be pouring on Tuesday December 1^st on which we aim to pump in 150 cubic metres of concrete
• The lift shaft pit has been dug waterproofed reinforced and concreted
• Starter bars have been fitted for the retaining walls

Further updates will follow towards the end of term. With work progressing well it is hoped that the steel frame will be constructed soon. This is a major step in construction and is extremely exciting as this will be the first opportunity to see the size and outline shape of the building.

Welcome to this special Website dedicated exclusively to our new £2 million Learning Centre.  Literally built into the side of a hill, the radical design will become the new heart of the school.  Over 300 girls and staff can eat together in the extensive dining facilities overlooking the naturally landscaped pond, home to the great crested newt and many other species.  The fabulous new 6^th Form areas will enable our senior students to work in a variety of ways to suit their individual learning styles.  The classrooms, which will be home to the Humanities and Social Sciences, open out onto communal computer areas where girls can work collaboratively or independently.

We are now in our second year of fundraising; Parents have responded magnificently to the appeal and have already contributed over £800,000.  The Government, LA, Business and charities have provided a further £800,000.  Fundraising will continue over the next two to three years.

 The completion date is August 2010.  We hope you’ll follow the building’s progress on this website- from the protection of the great crested newts and the technical challenges of the construction through to the colour scheme selected for each room; not to mention the regular blogs written by students.

 Owain Johns                                                 Penny Castagnoli

Acting Headteacher                                   Consultant Headteacher

Once the new build is completethe existing canteen will be vacated and create a space to be converted into a dedicated 6th form learning space. The remainder of the LRC will be remodelled to enable more flexibility and learning to take place.