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Hardenhuish School deputy headteacher Jan Hatherell with sixth form students and plans for the new sixth form centre which will replace the current buildings pictured in the background

Plans for a new multi-million pound sixth form centre at Hardenhuish School, Chippenham, have been submitted to the district council.

A series of proposals has been put forward including plans for a new two storey sixth form centre, extensions to the science block for three new laboratories and additional car parking space.

The plan for a new sixth form centre has been in the offing since July 2006 when the suggestion was made in the local authority area review.

At that time it was decided that Abbeyfield School would have a new sixth form centre first because the intake for sixth formers then was slightly smaller at Hardenhuish.

Deputy headteacher Jan Hatherell said: "This is an exciting time for Hardenhuish and one with many changes afoot.

"We held a public open day in January to gage the reaction of our neighbours and show them what we had in mind.

"The main concern that people living around the school had was the disruption when the demolition of the existing sixth form centre takes place.

"The new sixth form centre, which will cost in excess of £2million, will be able to house the 350 students we expect to have in three years time."

If the plans are accepted the demolition of the sixth form building will take place during the summer holidays.

The second plan to extend the science block has been put forward due to the school's specialist status in the field.

The proposal is to add a single storey extension to three of the science labs and create more parking spaces.

The third planning application is to create a drop off and pick up zone where students for the whole school can be safely left at or collected from the school.

This plan is to create a one-way system whereby cars will enter the school from the top of the site and leave at the junction with Hardenhuish Lane.

Mrs Hatherell said: "It has been a constant concern that a child could be hit by a car on the lane coming into school.

"With cars reversing and schoolchildren walking about it is something that needs to be sorted. It's been a nightmare and we are glad that we finally have enough money to put it right.

"I think all these plans show that the school is changing for the better and making all the facilities much more appropriate for the number of pupils we have and are expecting in the future."

The plans are currently in a public consultation phase and a vote is due on June 5.

5:21pm Friday 16th May 2008

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