The past and coming year are busier than ever as years 4 and 5 of a 5 year estate plan are fully implemented. Please find below an update of the estate works now completed and those intended over the coming months as we keep the School looking at its best and improve function where required.
We have just completed the external and internal restoration of the Grade 2* Listed Great Hall which was handed back to us in time for the examination period and will close down again for the summer for the restoration of the impressive The Merchant of Venice painting which has to be undertaken in situ. All who have seen the improvements are thrilled with this major overhaul, the building and its newly tarmacked surrounds which are now looking fabulous and will serve as a central tenet of the School for another 60 years. Those who use the Pencisely Road entrance will see the frame of the Pavilion is now in place, which will be ready by the end of November providing a striking modern contrast to the restored Great Hall. We are moving swiftly on to contract for the All Weather Pitch and Courts due to commence in December, transforming our sports facilities and all will be in place for Easter 2018. We will no longer hold tennis in a busy car park!
Many parents will have seen the new roof to our Hazelwood building which will also receive a major tidy up and repointing of the building façade and landscaping of the area. The wall to the Junior School on Howell’s Crescent was on a major tilt and has since been rebuilt. A reconfiguration of Ty Hapus is also planned for the summer break allowing Reception classes to connect and move directly out to an improved Green Garden.
Naturally, there are many other tasks on our list but I am pleased that the above works have been successfully put in place and demonstrate that we have a carefully crafted and costed plan of estate improvement: improving function, the infrastructure and keeping the School looking at its sharpest and best.
Richard READ OBE CDir
Director of Finance & Operations
