Member Article

Westbourne School launches £2m Junior School expansion project

SHEFFIELD independent co-educational school Westbourne is embarking on a major £2 million Junior School redevelopment project.

The school in Westbourne Road, Broomhill, is set to begin work on the development of a large two storey construction comprising of a hall, gymnasium and three classrooms.

There will also be new changing rooms, a new main entrance and glass fronted reception, office space, toilets, circulation space, a new covered playground and internal alterations to the existing buildings to form new toilets.

One of the main features of the project will be a new early years learning classroom and enhanced facilities that will provide a free flow between the indoor and outdoor play areas.

The building will replace the existing Junior School Hall, with a fresh access from Ashdell Road, meaning the new facilities will also be more suitable for private hire.

The new build - which was announced at the school’s annual prize giving celebration evening - will begin next summer and reflects Westbourne’s successful and sustained growth in recent years.

The school now has 350 pupils ranging from pre-school age to Year 11, with more than 50 members of staff.

“This is an exciting time for the Westbourne community as it demonstrates our commitment to offer the very best learning environment for our pupils,” said Headmaster John Hicks.

“As Sheffield’s only co-educational independent school from three to 16 and also the only independent school to operate an academically non-selective policy we are delighted that our reputation continues to grow and this is reflected in our decision to go ahead with this important new building project.

“Our aim is to enhance the learning space for the children who are already with us and also to create something that will prove attractive to new pupils and their families.

“Although we are very much at the heart of Broomhill, careful and thoughtful design has created a space that sits comfortably within the existing site and is also sympathetic to our acclaimed Forest School learning space.

“The new building will lend itself to the needs of all our pupils, ensuring that they have the space and the facilities they need to fulfil their individual potential.

“We are receiving record numbers of enquiries from families both in Sheffield and the Peak District and this new development will, we believe, make Westbourne even more attractive, giving us the space to develop our central policy of small classes and personal support for every pupil.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by John Highfield .