Principal Kieran James said he wanted to hear from local businesses, organisations or individuals who could support the upgrades in creative ways.
‘As we establish Guernsey’s first standalone Sixth Form Centre at Cobo, we have taken the opportunity to create an environment designed to support our young adults as they take the next step in their academic and personal growth,’ he said.
‘The space will reflect how post-16 education is evolving, here in Guernsey and globally.
‘We will be reaching out to individuals and businesses keen to invest in our students – and the Bailiwick’s future workforce – about ways we can collaborate,’ he said.
‘This could include support through corporate social responsibility initiatives, from providing interior design advice or donating additional quality office furnishings, to offering mentoring support to our students or helping to fund motivational and inspirational graphic artwork to enhance the site.’
He added that with flexible workspaces, a more adult look and feel, and a real sense of student ownership, the new centre would feel more like stepping into a campus or workplace than a school.
‘Our vision is to enhance our Sixth Form Centre, to develop a smart, professional, adult learning environment for our students and staff,’ he said.
‘We want this to foster a strong sense of self-belief and worth for everyone in this valuable part of our education system. This is particularly important for our students who come from backgrounds of significant disadvantage or those with additional needs.’
Relocation works ‘on track and in budget’
More details have been given on how more than a quarter of a million pounds is being spent to transform La Mare de Carteret buildings into the new temporary home for the Sixth Form Centre.
Policy & Resources approved £283,000 of funding in April, of which £179,000 is for equipment and new bike shelters which will be transferred when the centre eventually moves to its long-term home at the post-16 campus at Les Ozouets.
Improvement works planned include remodelling key parts of the building’s interior and character, with the current sports hall transformed into a ‘university-style’ lecture theatre and the school hall becoming a multi-use independent study area.
‘The works taking place ahead of the relocation of the Sixth Form Centre are on track and in budget,’ said director of education Nick Hynes.
‘I’m pleased that the Sixth Form Centre’s governance board and students have been involved in the building transformation – their ideas, energy and insights are vital to shaping the learning environment.’
The centre’s leadership team has also worked with the sixth form student design board – a group that comprises both current sixth form students and others in Years 10 and 11 – to co-create and develop improvements for the site.
‘We have a fantastic team of staff working at the Sixth Form Centre,’ Mr Hynes added. ‘And I am looking forward to seeing the centre flourish going forwards, as it continues to grow and support the Bailiwick’s bright young minds.’
Works already completed include the creation of a photography dark room, the creation of a larger science prep room, a large chemical store and additional chemical fume cupboards.
As well as general painting and decorating, work has also begun to create additional IT and networked classrooms for multimedia studies, while indoor plants for the reception area, sofas and cafe-style furniture to create a vibrant university-style communal and recreational space, are on the centre’s shopping list.
Tim Langlois, a community governor for the Sixth Form Centre, said this was an exciting time for students and teachers as they prepared to move to their new base in September.
‘As a school governor and parent with a child in the Sixth Form and another that will join in two years, I see this as a positive step in the right direction for higher education and a great opportunity for growth and development of our future workforce.’
He added that from conversations with students and teachers, it was clear that there was a buzz and excitement about the move.
‘This is just the next chapter in the Sixth Form Centre’s journey,’ he said, 'paving the way for future developments at their final home at the Les Ozouets campus.'
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