Blanchelande’s new principal is eager to grow sixth form
CONTINUING to expand Blanchelande College’s sixth form is among the top priorities for the school’s new principal.
Alexa Yeoman assumed the role at the start of the year, having worked at Blanchelande for 16 years in a number of different roles, including most recently as acting vice-principal.
A former Blanchelande student herself four decades ago, Mrs Yeoman said it was a ‘privilege’ to have been appointed principal by the school’s trustees and board of governors.
She said she was looking forward to engaging further with the current intake of 450 students, parents and teaching colleagues.
‘I have been a teacher and am still a parent here.
‘I’ve taught in the infants, juniors and senior departments. I’ve been on the senior leadership team for six years, and I’ve been the acting vice-principal, so I know the school really well,’ she said.
She was most eager to discuss the growth of Blanchelande’s sixth form, which reopened in September 2020 after closing in 2011 due to falling student numbers.
More than 40 students are set to study across more than 20 A-level subjects at the sixth form from the start of the next academic year in September. This is an increase from just less than 30 students this year.
‘We’ve had great years with 100% A-level results since it opened and our numbers are increasing, offer letters are still out but there’s a lot of interest for September which is great,’ she said.
A greater number of students brings a greater demand for facilities, and Mrs Yeoman said the school was looking at expanding its common room areas and places for quiet study.
‘We have got lots of developments and thoughts, but we’re not quite at the point of being ready to definitively say what those might be as I’m only a few weeks into the role,' she said.
‘We will ensure we have enough facilities for the number of students and we are talking with our current sixth form students to see what they would like.
‘We have a vast library but they would like more of their own dedicated space, and with increasing numbers that will be one of the main areas to consider.’
She was confident that any expansion projects could be funded.
‘As you increase the number of students so the funding increases, and we currently have healthy student numbers.’
Blanchelande has recently opened a new design & technology centre and photography labs, as well as launching a professional cookery programme via culinary educator Leiths.
Mrs Yeoman said both these initiatives had been ‘greatly beneficial’ to students as part of a wider offering.
